Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts delivered a strong message on Tuesday, emphasizing the necessity of preserving judicial independence in the United States. This declaration came just weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, as Roberts released his annual report on the federal judiciary.
In his 15-page report, Roberts warned against politicizing the judiciary. “It is not in the nature of judicial work to make everyone happy. Most cases have a winner and a loser. Every Administration suffers defeats in the court system—sometimes in cases with major ramifications for executive or legislative power or other consequential topics,” he stated. Roberts highlighted the longstanding tradition of respecting court rulings, which has helped the nation avoid conflicts reminiscent of those in the 1950s and 1960s.
However, Roberts expressed concern about recent attitudes toward federal court decisions. “Within the past few years, however, elected officials from across the political spectrum have raised the specter of open disregard for federal court rulings,” he observed. While refraining from naming specific individuals like Trump or Biden, he emphasized, “These dangerous suggestions, however sporadic, must be soundly rejected. Judicial independence is worth preserving.”
Roberts invoked the words of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who described an independent judiciary as “essential to the rule of law in any land,” but cautioned that it “is vulnerable to assault; it can be shattered if the society law exists to serve does not take care to assure its preservation.” Echoing this sentiment, Roberts urged Americans to value and protect the judicial system. “I urge all Americans to appreciate this inheritance from our founding generation and cherish its endurance,” he wrote.
Roberts also cited former Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration among the three branches of government to uphold the rule of law. “Our political system and economic strength depend on the rule of law,” he asserted.
The chief justice’s remarks came in a politically charged atmosphere. A recent Supreme Court decision penned by Roberts provided immunity to Trump in a landmark case, and the court’s intervention to block efforts to disqualify Trump from the ballot were seen as significant victories for the former president. However, these rulings drew criticism from Democrats, including President Biden, who has advocated for judicial term limits and an enforceable ethics code. Such calls arose after controversies involving justices receiving undisclosed trips and gifts from wealthy benefactors.
Roberts also referenced incidents where public officials suggested bypassing court rulings. Last year, some Democrats and one Republican urged President Biden to disregard a Trump-appointed judge’s decision to revoke the FDA’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone. Biden chose not to circumvent the ruling, and the Supreme Court eventually granted a stay, allowing the drug to remain available.
Further, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled last year against Biden’s sweeping student loan forgiveness initiative, deeming it an unconstitutional use of executive power. Such decisions underscore the ongoing tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch.
Roberts has not shied away from addressing conflicts with political figures. In 2018, he criticized Trump for referring to a judge who blocked his asylum policy as an “Obama judge.” Similarly, in 2020, Roberts condemned Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer for making provocative remarks while the court deliberated a prominent abortion case.
In his report, Roberts also included historical context, recounting how King George III once stripped colonial judges of lifetime appointments, a move that was met with widespread disapproval. This anecdote served as a reminder of the importance of judicial independence, particularly as Trump prepares for a possible second term with a conservative agenda that may face legal challenges before a Supreme Court with three Trump-appointed justices.
Roberts stressed the importance of other branches of government enforcing judicial decisions, even when those rulings are unpopular. He cited the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which required federal enforcement to overcome resistance from southern governors who opposed desegregation.
Additionally, Roberts condemned attempts to pressure judges over their rulings. “Attempts to intimidate judges for their rulings in cases are inappropriate and should be vigorously opposed,” he wrote. While public criticism of court decisions is valid, Roberts cautioned that such statements could incite dangerous reactions. “Violence, intimidation, and defiance directed at judges because of their work undermine our Republic and are wholly unacceptable,” he added.
The chief justice highlighted the rising threats against federal judges, with U.S. Marshals Service data revealing a more than threefold increase in such threats over the past decade. Roberts referenced two tragic incidents: the murders of state court judges in Wisconsin and Maryland at their homes in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Roberts also addressed the role of disinformation in undermining judicial independence. He noted how social media amplifies distortions of court rulings, sometimes exploited by hostile foreign actors to deepen societal divisions.
“Judicial independence is a cornerstone of our democracy,” Roberts concluded, urging Americans to safeguard this principle amid mounting political and social pressures. His message underscored the judiciary’s critical role in maintaining the rule of law and the enduring strength of the nation’s democratic institutions.