Threats Against the Judiciary Are Worse Than They’ve Ever Been. These Judges Know Why.
Slate interviews federal judges who describe an unprecedented climate of intimidation, doxing, swatting, and impeachment threats against members of the bench. The reporting highlights statements by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche calling for “war” with the judiciary, the Attorney General’s public attacks on judges who rule against the administration, and congressional calls to impeach at least six federal judges. The article places primary responsibility on senior legal officials in the Trump Justice Department whose rhetoric and litigation tactics — including filing meritless disciplinary complaints against judges — are normalizing political retaliation against the judicial branch. It is a useful framing piece showing how legal professionals at the top of the executive branch are themselves drivers of the erosion they describe.