US Judicial Independence Under Siege

2025-03-11

Chief Justice John Roberts' 2024 year-end report on the federal judiciary expresses concern over declining trust in the courts' independence. The report highlights violence, intimidation, disinformation, and threats to defy court orders as undermining judicial independence. These threats aim to coerce judges into ruling against the law. Roberts draws parallels to historical events, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence for upholding the rule of law and the system of checks and balances. While the President claims to abide by court decisions, the threat of defiance remains, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis and eroding public trust.