Trump Criticism of Judges Risks Constitution, Justice Jackson Says/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned that escalating attacks by President Donald Trump and his allies on judges appear calculated to intimidate the judiciary. Speaking at a judicial conference, she said such rhetoric poses a threat to democracy and undermines the Constitution. Chief Justice John Roberts has also criticized Trump’s remarks, revealing growing institutional tensions.
Justice Jackson Slams Trump’s Attacks: Quick Looks
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson condemned targeted rhetoric against federal judges
- Said attacks “are not random” and seek to intimidate the judiciary
- Remarks came during a judicial conference in Puerto Rico
- Referenced “threats and harassment” as dangerous to U.S. democracy
- Did not name Trump directly but addressed “the elephant in the room”
- Standing ovation reported by Politico for Jackson’s remarks
- Comes amid Trump’s public push to impeach federal judges who defy him
- Legal experts warn of rising risks to constitutional norms
Deep Look: Jackson Warns of Rising Judicial Intimidation Under Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a rare and forceful public rebuke Thursday of what she characterized as coordinated efforts by President Donald Trump and his allies to pressure and intimidate the federal judiciary.
Speaking at a judges’ conference in Puerto Rico, Jackson warned that escalating attacks on judges — including calls for impeachment and public criticism of court rulings — are “not random” and appear designed to erode judicial independence.
“The attacks are not random,” she said. “They seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity.”
Her comments come as the Trump administration continues to bristle against court decisions that have delayed or blocked key components of its agenda, ranging from foreign aid redirection and immigration crackdowns to the controversial firings of career government workers.
Jackson: Harassment Undermines Democracy
Justice Jackson, appointed by former President Joe Biden, made clear that the stakes extend far beyond courtroom decorum.
“The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, on our system of government,” she said. “They ultimately risk undermining our Constitution and the rule of law.”
Though Jackson stopped short of naming Trump directly, she acknowledged the charged political climate, referring to “the elephant in the room.”
Her speech reportedly drew a standing ovation, according to coverage by Politico and The New York Times, reflecting growing unease within the judiciary over the current state of executive-judicial relations.
Rising Tension Between Branches of Government
Tensions between Trump and the judiciary have intensified in recent months. In March, Chief Justice John Roberts publicly rebuked Trump for urging the impeachment of a federal judge — an unusual move underscoring the seriousness of the moment.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized judges whose rulings have disrupted its policies. Legal experts note that such public rhetoric risks escalating into a constitutional crisis if defiance of court orders becomes normalized.
Though the Trump White House has denied violating judicial directives, it has made clear its disdain for rulings it considers politically motivated or obstructive.
Broader Legal Concerns
The Supreme Court itself is operating with a 6-3 conservative majority, reshaped in part by three Trump-appointed justices. Still, federal judges across the ideological spectrum have issued rulings unfavorable to Trump’s policy maneuvers, especially on immigration, civil rights, and federal spending.
The ongoing friction has alarmed many in the legal community, who say the administration’s tone and tactics could weaken institutional safeguards that protect against authoritarian overreach.
“When the president of the United States engages in rhetoric that delegitimizes the judiciary,” one legal scholar noted, “it sends a dangerous signal about where power lies — and how it should be wielded.”
Implications for Constitutional Norms
Justice Jackson’s warning adds to the growing chorus of judicial figures calling for restraint and respect for the separation of powers. While presidents historically clash with courts, observers say the scope and intensity of Trump’s attacks set a concerning precedent.
“If judges must weigh personal risk every time they issue a ruling,” said a federal appeals judge who asked not to be named, “we lose the very thing that keeps our democracy intact.”
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