In rare and emotional public remarks, several federal judges warned Thursday that escalating threats against the judiciary are being fueled by the Trump administration’s rhetoric — and that such attacks are chipping away at public trust in the rule of law.
Speaking at a judicial independence conference hosted by the nonpartisan group Speak Up for Justice, judges shared harrowing personal stories, detailed violent threats they’ve received, and drew troubling historical parallels to authoritarian regimes that rose to power by first undermining the courts.
“Today, it feels different. It’s not just criticism — it’s character assassination,” said U.S. District Judge Esther Salas of New Jersey. “We’re being called crazy, leftist, unconstitutional judges by people speaking from the highest levels of government.”
Salas’ plea for civility carried particular weight. In 2020, her 20-year-old son was murdered by a disgruntled attorney who had previously appeared before her in court. The assailant posed as a delivery driver. Salas urged political leaders to end incendiary attacks on judges.
“We welcome appeals. We welcome disagreement. But demonizing us, calling us villains? That’s not critique — that’s an invitation to violence,” Salas said.
Voicemails and Threats Surge After Rulings
The conference opened with a chilling voicemail received by U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island shortly after he temporarily halted a Trump administration policy on federal grants.
“Tell the son of a b**** we’re going to come for him… I wish someone would assassinate your a**,” the caller said, identifying himself by name and phone number.
In the days that followed, McConnell said his court received over 400 threatening voicemails, including six credible death threats. Some messages mentioned tracking his address on the dark web and referred to plans for “Smith & Wesson” to visit.
“I’ve been on the bench for nearly 15 years, but this was the first time my faith in the system was truly shaken,” McConnell told the audience. “I just want to do my job and uphold the Constitution.”
McConnell also described being targeted in other ways, including a “pizza doxxing” campaign — a tactic where anonymous actors send pizza deliveries to a person’s home to prove they know the address. Several of those orders were made in the name of Judge Salas’ late son.
Judiciary Under Siege
Judges across the country reported similar experiences. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik, based in Seattle, said he and his children were also targeted with pizza deliveries ordered in Salas’ son’s name. He noted that about 50 judges have been targeted this way, and the U.S. Marshals Service is investigating.
Another Seattle-based judge, John Coughenour, detailed a bomb threat and a “swatting” attack in which police were falsely alerted that he had killed his wife.
“What kind of person does that?” Coughenour asked. “It’s disgusting.”
Coughenour also warned that undermining the judiciary is a common step in the rise of authoritarian regimes. “Germany in the 1930s, Cambodia in the 1970s, Rwanda — it all started with an attack on the courts and the rule of law,” he said.
Bondi Complaint Seen as Intimidation
Just days before the conference, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a formal misconduct complaint against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg of Washington, D.C., for expressing concern that the Trump administration may be disregarding court rulings.
Legal experts have described the complaint as a pressure tactic designed to intimidate judges and discourage scrutiny of executive overreach.
“These attacks are no longer just political talking points — they’re endangering lives,” Salas said. “We need leadership that defends the independence of the judiciary, not leadership that fans the flames of violence and distrust.”
