We stand united in full support of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.’s recent reaffirmation of a foundational principle of our democracy: judges must be free to decide cases according to the law and the Constitution, without fear of political reprisal or threats of impeachment. This fundamental tenet, as Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist Paper No. 78, and in other founding documents, has underpinned our democratic system for nearly 250 years.

Efforts to intimidate judges or subject them to removal for rendering decisions—whether popular or not—undermine the integrity of the judiciary and the rule of law. The independence of the judiciary is not a partisan value; it is a constitutional imperative of justice. Our democracy depends on a system of checks and balances, with each branch of government playing an essential role.

Threats and acts of violence directed at judges and their families are unacceptable. No judge should fear for their safety because they are doing their job. Such threats strike not only at individuals but against the rule of law itself.

We endorse and adopt the Chief Justice’s statement and urge all public officials to uphold the separation of powers, defend the independence of our courts, and ensure that judges can fulfill their duties without fear, coercion, or harm.