Ketanji Brown Jackson strongly criticizes Trump’s assaults on the judiciary
A Supreme Court justice emphasized the need to confront "the elephant in the room," referring to the "threats and harassment" directed at judges by Trump and his allies.
TroibNews 
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivered a powerful critique of the attacks by President Donald Trump and his associates on judges who have thwarted Trump administration policies, emphasizing on Thursday that the escalating hostile rhetoric poses a serious threat to the nation’s political integrity.
“The attacks are not random. They seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity,” Jackson stated at a conference for judges in Puerto Rico. “The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, on our system of government. And they ultimately risk undermining our Constitution and the rule of law.”
While Jackson did not specifically name Trump, her remarks addressed “the elephant in the room,” clearly alluding to the aggressive language and calls for impeachment directed at federal judges by Trump and some of his advisors when rulings do not align with his agenda.
She encouraged her fellow judges to exhibit “raw courage” in pursuing justice without fear of repercussions. “I urge you to keep going, keep doing what is right for our country, and I do believe that history will vindicate your service,” the Biden appointee emphasized.
Jackson's candid remarks earned her a standing ovation from the gathered judges and lawyers. This 18-minute speech marks one of the strongest public statements from any Supreme Court member since the Trump administration began its attacks on judges who blocked policies related to immigration, federal employment, and contractual agreements.
Judges from various ideological backgrounds throughout the country have issued ruling against Trump’s policies, some identifying them as blatant violations of the Constitution or established legal principles. Notably, some significant rulings, including one announced earlier on Thursday concerning Trump’s use of an 18th-century law for deportations, have come from judges appointed by Trump during his initial term.
In response, Trump and his supporters have escalated their rhetoric. For example, Trump described U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, widely regarded as a centrist, as a “Radical Left Lunatic” and called for his impeachment after Boasberg ruled against Trump on deportations. This impeachment call prompted a measured rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who stated that impeachment is not the “appropriate response” to disagreements about court rulings.
The response from Trump’s allies has intensified since Roberts' statement. Trump's senior domestic adviser, Stephen Miller, has criticized what he describes as power-hungry and “Communist” judges endangering the country and undermining presidential authority. Additionally, Trump ally Elon Musk has repeatedly endorsed calls for judicial impeachments on X.
Prior to a planned discussion about her life, Jackson approached the lectern and expressed her decision to address “the relentless attacks and disregard and disparagement that judges around the country and perhaps many of you are facing on a daily basis.”
“It seems as though every time I read the news or turn on the television these days, I see the affronts,” remarked Jackson, the newest member of the high court.
Having served as a district court judge for eight years before becoming an appellate judge and then a Supreme Court Justice, Jackson noted that the attacks are often most challenging for individual district court judges, who are the trial judges in the federal system.
“I do know that loneliness. It is very stressful to have to decide difficult cases in the spotlight and under pressure,” she said. “It can sometimes take raw courage to remain steadfast in doing what the law requires.”
Jackson drew parallels to past judges who faced similar attacks during the Civil Rights Movement and the Watergate scandal, encouraging her colleagues to draw inspiration from those historical examples.
“Other judges have faced challenges like the ones we face today, and have prevailed,” she asserted.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
“The attacks are not random. They seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity,” Jackson stated at a conference for judges in Puerto Rico. “The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, on our system of government. And they ultimately risk undermining our Constitution and the rule of law.”
While Jackson did not specifically name Trump, her remarks addressed “the elephant in the room,” clearly alluding to the aggressive language and calls for impeachment directed at federal judges by Trump and some of his advisors when rulings do not align with his agenda.
She encouraged her fellow judges to exhibit “raw courage” in pursuing justice without fear of repercussions. “I urge you to keep going, keep doing what is right for our country, and I do believe that history will vindicate your service,” the Biden appointee emphasized.
Jackson's candid remarks earned her a standing ovation from the gathered judges and lawyers. This 18-minute speech marks one of the strongest public statements from any Supreme Court member since the Trump administration began its attacks on judges who blocked policies related to immigration, federal employment, and contractual agreements.
Judges from various ideological backgrounds throughout the country have issued ruling against Trump’s policies, some identifying them as blatant violations of the Constitution or established legal principles. Notably, some significant rulings, including one announced earlier on Thursday concerning Trump’s use of an 18th-century law for deportations, have come from judges appointed by Trump during his initial term.
In response, Trump and his supporters have escalated their rhetoric. For example, Trump described U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, widely regarded as a centrist, as a “Radical Left Lunatic” and called for his impeachment after Boasberg ruled against Trump on deportations. This impeachment call prompted a measured rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who stated that impeachment is not the “appropriate response” to disagreements about court rulings.
The response from Trump’s allies has intensified since Roberts' statement. Trump's senior domestic adviser, Stephen Miller, has criticized what he describes as power-hungry and “Communist” judges endangering the country and undermining presidential authority. Additionally, Trump ally Elon Musk has repeatedly endorsed calls for judicial impeachments on X.
Prior to a planned discussion about her life, Jackson approached the lectern and expressed her decision to address “the relentless attacks and disregard and disparagement that judges around the country and perhaps many of you are facing on a daily basis.”
“It seems as though every time I read the news or turn on the television these days, I see the affronts,” remarked Jackson, the newest member of the high court.
Having served as a district court judge for eight years before becoming an appellate judge and then a Supreme Court Justice, Jackson noted that the attacks are often most challenging for individual district court judges, who are the trial judges in the federal system.
“I do know that loneliness. It is very stressful to have to decide difficult cases in the spotlight and under pressure,” she said. “It can sometimes take raw courage to remain steadfast in doing what the law requires.”
Jackson drew parallels to past judges who faced similar attacks during the Civil Rights Movement and the Watergate scandal, encouraging her colleagues to draw inspiration from those historical examples.
“Other judges have faced challenges like the ones we face today, and have prevailed,” she asserted.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
