A disturbing trend of escalating threats and harassment targeting federal judges has prompted a rare public outcry, revealing the profound challenges to judicial independence in the current political climate. Across the nation, esteemed members of the bench are speaking out against a wave of intimidation, ranging from explicit death threats to insidious doxing campaigns, all linked to highly charged political rhetoric.

Among those breaking their silence is Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., who has endured an unprecedented barrage of attacks. Since early this year, Judge McConnell has faced hundreds of vile phone calls, multiple credible death threats, and spurious judicial misconduct complaints, creating a perilous environment for upholding the rule of law.

Further illustrating the personal toll, Judge McConnell was subjected to “pizza doxing,” a malicious tactic where large food orders are sent to a victim’s home. In a particularly cruel twist, the orders were placed in the name of the murdered son of a fellow federal judge, Esther Salas, highlighting the deeply personal and psychologically damaging nature of these political threats. This intimidation extended to his family, with Trump allies verbally attacking his daughter online.

Adding to the alarming accounts, Judge John Coughenour, a senior district court judge, recounted being “swatted” – a dangerous prank where emergency services are falsely dispatched to a person’s home. These incidents, following his rulings perceived as adverse to the Trump administration, demonstrate how political extremism manifests in direct and dangerous actions against those serving the judiciary, jeopardizing their safety and that of their families.

Fellow Western District of Washington judge, Robert Lasnik, also shared his unique response to the climate of intimidation. Opting to recuse himself from Trump-related cases, Judge Lasnik emphasized his decision was driven by a desire to speak freely about the overarching threats to the federal judiciary. His proactive stance highlights the systemic pressure judges feel to remain impartial amidst intense political polarization.

The emotional weight of these attacks was palpable when Judge Esther Salas spoke about the doxing using her murdered son’s name. Her courageous decision to speak out, despite her profound personal tragedy, galvanized other judges to share their experiences. Her testimony served as a stark reminder that these are not just abstract political disagreements but deeply personal attacks that strike at the core of a human being and their family.

While acknowledging that judges have historically faced criticism from various political spectrums, Judge Salas underscored the distinct nature of the current inflammatory rhetoric, which she described as coming “from the top down.” This deliberate targeting, she argued, represents a fundamentally different and more dangerous form of political violence, designed to undermine the very foundation of an independent judiciary.

Ultimately, the collective testimonies of these federal judges serve as a urgent warning about the chilling effect these threats could have on judicial independence and the impartial administration of justice. The ongoing harassment necessitates a renewed commitment to safeguarding the judiciary, ensuring that those who uphold the rule of law can do so without fear for their lives or their families.