Two prominent federal judges warned that rising threats and hostile rhetoric against the judiciary have created a dangerous environment that puts lives at risk and deliberately erodes public trust in the legal system.
U.S. District Judge Esther Salas and retired Judge John Jones III spoke about these growing dangers during a joint appearance on NBC News’ “Common Ground” franchise on Meet the Press NOW with Gary Grumbach. According to data cited during the interview, the U.S. Marshals Service is tracking more than 300 threats against federal judges this year alone, alongside thousands of hostile online posts.
Salas, whose 20-year-old son, Daniel Anderl, was killed in 2020 when an attacker targeted her home, stated that the constant criticism aimed at the judiciary is part of a calculated effort.
“I think this is intentional by those individuals from the top down who, who are rolling out this negative PR campaign,” Salas said. “The first goal is they want to erode the public’s confidence in the justice system. When you say something, Gary, is broken over and over and over again, and it’s not… you are doing that for one reason, and that is to erode the public’s confidence.”
Salas added that there is a more sinister aspect to labeling judges as corrupt or rogue on public platforms. Speaking as “Daniel’s mom,” she stated that demonizing judges sends a message that “if something happens to one of my brothers or sisters on the bench, they had it coming.”
When asked what keeps her going after her personal tragedy, Salas said it is a sense of duty to her son’s memory. “Because when someone sacrifices their life for you, you don’t squander yours,” Salas said. “My son’s ultimate act of love was taking that bullet… and that is one of the reasons I’m out here every day, just like Judge Jones is… banging this drum that something awful is happening, and we have to do something about it.”
Jones, who noted that he draws inspiration from Salas to speak out, emphasized that current threats go beyond historical criticisms of judicial rulings. He expressed deep concern over public figures issuing what he termed a “dog whistle” to vulnerable or unstable individuals who might commit violence.
“My former colleagues… feel like there’s a target on their back,” Jones said. “They’re literally almost looking over their shoulder at this point when they’re outside the courthouse.”
Jones warned that the current path poses an existential threat to the country’s foundational structure. “This isn’t just a risk to the institution and third branch. It’s a risk to people’s very lives if we don’t fix this,” he said.
When asked how the country arrived at this point, Salas pointed directly to the behavior of political leaders, stating, “Because I think that our president on down have engaged in such irresponsible rhetoric that gives really the, the public and, and in particular sometimes the mentally vulnerable, a green light to go ahead and come after us.”
Jones placed blame on legislative leaders as well, calling out what he described as a silent legislative branch.
“In my view, I think we have a completely dormant United States Congress,” Jones said. “Where is the shame? Where, where are the voices? I don’t expect this President of the United States to say anything that’s going to dial down the rhetoric, but shame on the members of Congress, shame on the Speaker of the House.”
To address the crisis, both judges called for immediate action. Jones stated that the country needs a national dialogue led by individuals with public platforms, noting that judges cannot solve the issue alone. Salas agreed, adding that change must also happen on a personal level.
“I think it starts with a national dialogue, but I also think it starts right at the kitchen table of everyone’s home,” Salas said, calling for a return to how people treat their neighbors and strangers.
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