Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson condemned attacks by President Donald Trump and his allies on judges who have blocked Trump administration policies.
“The attacks are not random. They seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity,” Justice Jackson said during a May 1 conference in Puerto Rico. “The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, on our system of government. And they ultimately risk undermining our Constitution and the rule of law.”
While Jackson didn’t refer to Trump by name, her remarks were addressed to “the elephant in the room” amid repeated attacks on the judiciary by the Trump administration.
:And the attacks are not random. They seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity,” she continued.
Jackson urged her judicial colleagues to show “raw courage” to dispense justice without fear of the results. “I urge you to keep going, keep doing what is right for our country, and I do believe that history will vindicate your service,” the Biden appointee said.
In March, Trump derided Judge James Boasberg as a “troublemaker” and a “Radical Left Lunatic” after he ruled against the illegal deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador. House Republicans have sought to impeach at least six judges who blocked key parts of the president’s agenda.
Several judges have faced a slew of “intimidation tactics” designed to send a message that their home addresses are publicly known, including a New Jersey judge who received a pizza addressed to her murdered son.
Jackson’s remarks garnered a standing ovation from the room of judges. The justice noted that judges who issued controversial rulings during the Civil Rights Movement faced similar attacks.
“Other judges have faced challenges like the ones we face today, and have prevailed,” she said.