Roberts on personal attacks against judges: ‘It’s got to stop’

The Hill
by Zach Schonfeld
March 17, 2026
3 min read

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Chief Justice John Roberts called for an end to personal attacks against judges, calling them 'dangerous' and 'a problem.'

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Chief Justice John Roberts called for an end to personal attacks against judges, describing the trend as "dangerous" and "a problem" during remarks Tuesday at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. Roberts distinguished between legitimate criticism of judicial opinions and ad hominem attacks on judges themselves, noting that court decisions are appropriately subject to public scrutiny. The comments reflect ongoing tensions over judicial independence and civility in political discourse, particularly as courts face increased criticism from both left and right on polarizing issues. Roberts emphasized that judges work diligently to reach correct decisions, implying that personal attacks undermine respect for the judiciary's impartiality and institutional credibility. The Chief Justice's remarks suggest the Supreme Court is concerned about erosion of public confidence in the federal bench amid heightened political polarization.

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