The US supreme court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson condemned the Trump administration’s attacks on the judiciary in a cutting speech at a judicial conference on Thursday evening.
Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, Jackson spoke of “the elephant in the room” and rhetoric from the White House “designed to intimidate the judiciary”.
“ Across the nation, judges are facing increased threats of not only physical violence, but also professional retaliation just for doing our jobs,” said Jackson, according to the New York Times. “And the attacks are not random. They seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity.”
The justice’s comments are the most direct criticism of the Trump administration by a supreme court justice since the US chief justice, John Roberts, rebuked the Trump administration in March for pushing for the impeachment of a federal judge. Jackson made the remarks at a judicial conference in Puerto Rico.
Federal judges have said the Trump administration has failed to comply with court orders regarding foreign aid, federal spending and the firing of government workers. The administration disputes it has defied judges but has been critical of orders and judges that have blocked its actions.
Judges have also come under pressure in Trump’s campaign to deport migrants, as in Wisconsin, where a judge was arrested after she allegedly helped an immigrant evade federal authorities. Local judges have chafed at the idea of arresting migrants in local courthouses, which they say undermines public safety.
“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,” Jackson said.
Jackson urged her judicial colleagues to show “raw courage” to continue their work. “I urge you to keep going, keep doing what is right for our country, and I do believe that history will vindicate your service,” she said according to Politico.
The supreme court has a 6-3 conservative majority.
Reuters contributed reporting
