Attacks and threats against federal judges have spiked, and it threatens our democracy

In the 10 years since I left my position as a federal district judge in the Southern District of New York, there has been an unprecedented spike in the threats and harassment targeting federal judges throughout the country. 

I know from personal experience what it means to be the subject of violent threats just for doing my job. After one ruling, the U.S. Marshals began driving me to work. After another ruling, the press screamed that it would be my fault if New York City blew up due to a rise in crime. 

But the environment surrounding attacks on judges is now far worse. The frequency and volume of harassment are at extreme levels. Judges I know are committed to upholding the rule of law despite these conditions, but they deserve better protection. They also deserve more respect from politicians, pundits and influencers, who have turned disagreement with a ruling into a barrage of violent rhetoric aimed squarely at the judges and their families. 

In a recent Brennan Center for Justice report, 35 sitting and retired federal judges, myself included, spoke about their experiences with violent threats.

Take one striking example: After ruling against the Trump administration in a case related to immigration enforcement, a federal district judge received more than 700 threatening phone calls in chambers. The harassment went beyond the courthouse. The judge’s personal information was circulated online, including the floor plan of this judge’s home. The threats became serious enough that the judge’s family spent significant personal funds to........

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