U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has encountered threats throughout his career, ranging from drug cartels to terrorist organizations like al Qaeda. However, the recent surge in harassment following his involvement in cases against supporters of former President Donald Trump has been unprecedented.
Lamberth, appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan, found himself targeted by right-wing websites and received death threats after sentencing a 69-year-old Idaho woman for her role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The onslaught of threats, including graphic messages left on his home phone, took a toll on Lamberth, who expressed disbelief at the extent of the intimidation he faced.
As Trump faces legal challenges ahead of the next election, his loyalists have intensified their efforts to intimidate judges, prosecutors, and court officials. A Reuters review of threat data and interviews with law enforcement agents revealed a disturbing trend of threats and intimidation tactics directed at those involved in cases against Trump and his supporters.
Trump’s aggressive rhetoric against the judiciary, labeling judges as biased and the legal system as rigged, has fueled this hostility. Since Trump’s presidential campaign in 2015, threats against judges and court personnel have more than tripled, reaching unprecedented levels.
The surge in threats coincides with Trump’s mounting legal troubles, with serious threats against federal judges doubling since 2020. While arrests for such threats are rare, law enforcement agencies like the U.S. Marshals Service are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of menacing communications.
Judges, prosecutors, and other court officials have expressed grave concerns about the impact of these threats on the independence and legitimacy of the judiciary. Trump’s attacks on judges and prosecutors involved in cases against him have only exacerbated the situation.
Despite the risks, arrests for threatening judges remain infrequent due to the difficulty in distinguishing between protected speech and genuine threats. While some perpetrators have been identified, the majority go unpunished, leaving judges vulnerable to further intimidation.
State judges also face threats, particularly in politically charged cases. In states like Arizona and Wisconsin, judges have been targeted following controversial rulings, indicating a broader trend of intimidation beyond federal courts.
The chilling effect of these threats is undeniable, with judges like Reggie Walton and Derrick Watson recounting incidents of harassment and racist messages directed at them and their families. The failure to address this climate of intimidation poses a serious threat to the functioning of the judicial system and the rule of law.
While judges like Lamberth have adapted to living under constant threat, the broader impact on judicial independence and public trust in the legal system remains a pressing concern. Without meaningful action to address these threats, the integrity of the judiciary is at risk of being undermined.
