WASHINGTON — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday condemned what she described as coordinated attacks on judges by former President Donald Trump and his allies, suggesting the rhetoric was meant to pressure and intimidate the judiciary.
Earlier this year, Chief Justice John Roberts publicly criticized Trump after he called for the impeachment of a federal judge, highlighting growing friction between the executive branch and the courts as Trump’s broad claims of authority face judicial pushback.
“These attacks aren’t happening by chance. They appear aimed at intimidating those of us who hold these vital roles,” Jackson said during a judicial conference in Puerto Rico. Federal judges have accused the Trump administration of ignoring court rulings on issues like foreign aid, government spending, and personnel decisions. The administration has pushed back, denying any defiance but openly criticizing rulings and judges that have hindered its agenda.
“Threats and intimidation targeting judges strike at the heart of our democracy and governance,” Jackson said. “They pose a serious danger to the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Although Jackson, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, did not refer to Trump directly, she alluded to him with a reference to “the elephant in the room.” Her remarks, reported by Politico and The New York Times, reportedly drew a standing ovation.
The sharply polarized political climate during the Trump years has sparked concern among legal scholars about the possibility of a constitutional crisis.
The Supreme Court currently holds a 6-3 conservative majority.
