In a move that underscores the gravity of the current political climate, a cohort of retired judges is traversing the American Midwest with a mission to safeguard judicial independence. Their journey, which spans from the heartlands of Ohio and Pennsylvania to the upscale suburbs of Michigan, carries a crucial message: the rule of law in the United States is under significant threat.
The nationwide tour, marking the country’s 250th anniversary, aims to alert the public about the declining trust in the judicial system and democracy. This decline comes amid an increasingly polarized society and persistent challenges to the courts’ impartiality by political figures, including former President Donald Trump. Retired judges, like former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly, emphasize the importance of reinforcing the nation’s foundational belief in laws over individuals, stating, “Looking back in history, we have teetered. This is a moment where we can decide to reinstill those beliefs that we are a country of laws and not of men.”
Judges Stepping Out to Protect the Bench
This four-day tour through the Rust Belt is a notable departure from the traditionally reserved conduct of the judiciary. Federal judges, who typically confine their comments to courtrooms and written rulings, are now speaking out due to the increasing attacks on the judiciary. The Trump administration’s persistent defiance of court orders and its expansive view of executive power have further fueled this discourse. Trump’s criticism of judges, including calling a district judge “crooked” and questioning the motives of Supreme Court justices, has intensified these concerns.
Some federal judges have reported an increase in threats, with the U.S. Marshals Service citing 564 threats in the last fiscal year, a rise from the previous year’s 509. Former U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts expressed her unease, stating, “I don’t want to say we have moved into an era of lawlessness, but it sometimes feels that way.”
Timothy Lewis, another former federal judge, highlighted the politicization of the judiciary, pointing to events like the blocked nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court as pivotal moments. He warns of an “existential threat” to the rule of law, expressing deep concern about the nation’s direction.
Diverse Stops Along the Route
The tour began in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, a town with a rich coal history, before moving on to Washington, a locale significant for its role in the Civil Rights Movement. The judges then proceeded to Ohio, visiting Columbus and Wooster, before heading to Cleveland and finally Michigan, tracing a path that reflects the region’s diverse cultural and historical landscape.
Inspired by a similar initiative in Poland where independent judges promoted judicial integrity, the U.S. tour aims to educate citizens about the importance of the rule of law. As Maureen O’Connor, a former Ohio Supreme Court chief justice, pointed out, judges risk losing control of their narrative if they remain silent. Her own experiences with public misunderstanding underscore the need for this outreach.
The tour, organized by nonpartisan groups Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic, involves roughly 30 judges, including both current and former federal and state judges from both political parties. They are joined by former officials like Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and Ohio attorneys general, all united in their commitment to fortifying public trust in the judiciary. As former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Donnelly remarked, “The lifeblood of the judiciary is public confidence. If you lose that, it’s very difficult to get it back.”
