Chief Justice John Roberts railed against what he called “illegitimate activity” aimed at undermining the independence of the judiciary in his annual year end report.
In the report Roberts highlighted four areas of concerns including violence, intimidation, disinformation and threats to defy court judgments.
In his report, Roberts said violence against members of the judiciary and their families “highlight the vulnerability of judges who sign their names to the decisions they render each day and return home each night to communities, where they remain involved as neighbors, volunteers, and concerned citizens.”
The Supreme Court has been under renewed scrutiny after Senate Democrats released their report alleging several ethics lapses from some of the justices, with a focus on conservative Justice Clarence Thomas.
In his year-end report, Roberts said public officials “have engaged in recent attempts to intimidate judges — for example, suggesting political bias in the judge’s adverse rulings without a credible basis for such allegations.”Â
“Attempts to intimidate judges for their rulings in cases are inappropriate and should be vigorously opposed,” Roberts added.
“Public officials certainly have a right to criticize the work of the judiciary, but they should be mindful that intemperance in their statements when it comes to judges may prompt dangerous reactions by others.”
Additionally, Roberts criticized “elected officials from across the political spectrum” who “have raised the specter of open disregard” for federal court rulings.
“These dangerous suggestions, however sporadic, must be soundly rejected. Judicial independence is worth preserving,” he said.
