As threats against judges intensify across the United States—from swatting and doxxing to direct intimidation—lawyers are mobilizing to protect the judiciary and the rule of law. In a recent interview with Federal News Network, attorney Paul Kiesel discussed the origins of Speak Up for Justice, a coalition of legal professionals advocating for judicial safety and independence.
Kiesel noted that the rhetoric against judges has escalated, citing incidents such as posters targeting specific judges and the tragic 2020 murder of Judge Esther Salas’s son. These threats, he warned, are undermining judicial integrity and deterring candidates from public service.
The organization has also drawn global parallels, featuring voices from Venezuela, Poland, and South Africa who have witnessed firsthand how attacks on the judiciary pave the way for autocracy. Kiesel emphasized that losing the rule of law erodes not only democracy but also economic stability and international trust in U.S. institutions.
Speak Up for Justice is now calling for nationwide mobilization—including a virtual rally—to show collective support for judicial independence and democratic guardrails. “We need to speak up,” Kiesel urged, “because silence is complicity.”