Nearly 50 former federal judges lashed out at what they described as a wave of “misinformation, disinformation and fiery rhetoric” aimed towards the judicial system in an open letter on Wednesday, a condemnation and call to action that appears to be a direct jab at the Donald Trump administration.
“Misinformation, disinformation, and fiery rhetoric distort public understanding of the judiciary’s critical role in maintaining our democracy,” the letter reads, signed by 46 former federal judges. “Threats against judges and their families are obvious attempts to intimidate, harass, and pressure judges and sway their opinions, shaking the public’s trust and confidence in the courts.”
President Donald Trump’s rhetoric towards the judiciary branch of government has been unprecedented, having frequently singled out individual judges in attacks, calling them “radical,” “crooked” or “corrupt.” His administration has also outright ignored judges’ orders, and has even arrested a judge for allegedly helping a migrant evade authorities.
And so on Wednesday, the 238th anniversary of the adoption of the United States Constitution, the dozens of federal judges wrote that they felt “compelled to speak out,” and in a manner that, as former judges, left them “no longer constrained.”
“We are now compelled to speak out, as sitting judges cannot, because the Constitution is under attack. Sitting judges, bound by a code of ethics, can only speak sparingly through their opinions. We are no longer so constrained,” the letter reads.
“This Constitution Day, we pledge to strengthen America’s democracy by mobilizing a better-informed citizenry. We are speaking out to protect the Constitution and all that it stands for. Its principles should be celebrated as the foundation of our nation. We call upon every American to join us in upholding judicial independence for our own and future generations as our founders envisioned and the Constitution guarantees.”