Chief Justice Roberts says personal attacks on judges are "dangerous and it's got to stop" - CBS News

CBS News
March 17, 2026
3 min read

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Chief Justice John Roberts warned that personal attacks on judges are dangerous and must stop.

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Chief Justice John Roberts called for an end to personal attacks on judges, warning that such rhetoric is "dangerous and it's got to stop." Roberts's statement reflects growing tension over politicized criticism of the judiciary, particularly from elected officials and public figures who have increasingly targeted judges over controversial rulings. The chief justice's intervention underscores concerns about threats to judicial independence and public confidence in the courts when judges face personal rather than professional scrutiny. Recent years have seen heightened rhetoric directed at federal judges, especially following high-profile decisions on issues like abortion, election law, and other polarizing matters. Roberts's direct criticism suggests the judiciary is taking a more vocal stance in defending itself against what it views as corrosive attacks on judicial legitimacy.

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