Federal judges presiding over major cases involving the Trump administration on Thursday denounced threats they’ve faced as tensions between the White House and judiciary continue to mount.

U.S. District Judges John J. McConnell Jr. of the District of Rhode Island and John Coughenour of the Western District of Washington said during a virtual event that they have endured campaigns of harassment since taking on the prominent cases.

The judges’ public remarks condemning the violent threats and intimidation they’ve faced are a rare occurrence, as sitting judges often remain mum amid criticism to avoid appearing biased.

But the pair said the time had come to speak out, as the independence of the judiciary comes under increasing attacks.

"We need a call to action in this country from our lawyers and from our judges to say, ‘Not in this country, not on our watch,’” Coughenour said.

Coughenour in February indefinitely blocked President Trump’s executive order to restrict birthright citizenship, while McConnell in January blocked the administration’s

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