Judges Under Fire: Why Can't They Fight Back?

Judges are getting more threats than ever. In 2023, there were 457 threats against federal judges. That's a big jump from 300 in 2022 and 179 in 2019. Every single one of these threats was serious enough to investigate. Judges who have ruled on cases involving the Trump administration and its allies have faced even worse threats. These threats often come from misinformation spreading online and in the media. This misinformation makes people lose trust in the judiciary. When people don't trust the courts, it's a big problem. Courts don't have an army or a lot of money to protect themselves. They rely on the public's trust. Judges can't respond to these threats. They are bound by rules that stop them from speaking out about pending cases. This rule is based on an old tradition that values humility in judges. But this silence can be misunderstood. Some people might think the judge is admitting guilt by not responding. This can lead to more threats and even violence. The public needs to understand why judges can't respond to criticism. It's important for people to know that judges are restrained from defending themselves. Uninformed violence against judges is wrong. It erodes the rule of law and makes it harder for everyone to get justice.