The troubling trend of threats and harassment faced by judges in the United States, particularly those who oppose controversial policies from the Trump administration, was highlighted at a recent public forum.
U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour, appointed by former Republican President Ronald Reagan, vividly recounted his experiences with alarming incidents, including a ‘swatting’ event where police arrived at his home believing that he had harmed his wife.
Coughenour became the first judge to rule against a Trump policy in the early days of the President’s second term, declaring Trump’s executive order to restrict birthright citizenship as ‘blatantly unconstitutional.’
During the forum, Coughenour expressed his concerns about the rising hostility towards judges, stating that such events reflect a broader attack on the rule of law initiated during President Trump’s time in office.
He spoke of the psychological toll that these threats have on judges and their families, remarking, ‘I signed up for this and I’ll endure the threats and attempts to intimidate, but my family didn’t.’
The forum, organized by the judicial advocacy organization Speak Up for Justice, showcased the voices of several federal judges who are increasingly feeling the consequences of their rulings against the Trump administration.
Among their stories were chilling accounts of direct threats. A Rhode Island judge received a voicemail calling for his assassination, while others referenced the harrowing murder of Judge Esther Salas’s son by a disgruntled lawyer as a tool of intimidation.
Judge Robert Lasnik, also from Seattle and appointed by President Bill Clinton, detailed how he and his children received unsolicited pizza deliveries that carried ominous implications tied to Judge Salas’s tragedy.
Lasnik, having opted out of cases regarding the Trump administration to maintain his ability to express concerns openly about attacks on judicial independence, noted the environment of fear that has emerged for young judges.
He shared, ‘They would make a ruling, they would be bombarded with hate mail and hate emails and threats,’ underlining how this atmosphere discourages not only new judges but also threatens their families.
The pressures on judges have been compounded by the Trump administration’s polarizing policies, including moves to restrict gender-affirming care for transgender youth, limit refugee assistance, and deny federal funding.
Coughenour reflected on his previous work with Russian judges who admired the U.S. justice system following the Soviet Union’s collapse, contrasting that reverence with the current climate of disdain for judicial authority.
He drew historical parallels, warning that the attacks on judicial independence seen today are reminiscent of the events leading to the rise of totalitarian regimes in 1930s Germany and 1970s Cambodia.
Coughenour emphasized, ‘Not in this country. Not on our watch,’ calling for a collective effort to restore the nation’s commitment to the rule of law.
As these unsettling incidents continue to unfold, the judiciary stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the implications of political rhetoric and the necessity for an independent judiciary free from intimidation.
The rising hostilities against judges underscore the challenges faced by those who uphold the law in an increasingly polarized political landscape, reminding us of the importance of maintaining judicial integrity and safety for both judges and their families.
image source from：columbian
