The United States has been named the focus of the 2026 International Day of the Endangered Lawyer, marking it as a country where the rule of law is under threat due to political intimidation of lawyers and judges. An international coalition of legal groups selected the US—previously seen as a global model of judicial independence—because of what it describes as a coordinated effort by Donald Trump’s second-term administration to undermine the legal profession and judiciary.
The coalition cites firings of Justice Department lawyers, public attacks on judges, executive orders targeting law firms representing Trump’s opponents, and sanctions against International Criminal Court judges. The UN special rapporteur on judicial independence has warned that Trump’s rhetoric and actions risk inciting violence, noting rising threats against US judges.
While federal courts continue to challenge some of Trump’s policies, his judicial appointments have strengthened conservative dominance in appellate courts and the Supreme Court, often favoring his administration. Legal groups warn of a growing “chilling effect,” where lawyers may avoid controversial cases due to fear of retaliation, posing long-term risks to democratic accountability and the independence of the legal system.