Defense of the Judiciary Statement: Maryland FBA Issues Call to Action

The Defense of the Judiciary Statement issued by the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on February 28, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the Chapter’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the independence and integrity of the federal judiciary. Against a backdrop of mounting public and political attacks on the judicial system, the statement calls on legal professionals, bar associations, and the public to stand firm in defending the courts and upholding the rule of law.

The Maryland Chapter’s leadership has long prioritized engagement with pressing constitutional issues and public service. This latest statement reinforces that commitment, urging the legal community to reject disinformation and intimidation and to remain vigilant in the protection of judicial independence. With the rise in threats against judges and increased politicization of court rulings, the Chapter’s voice adds weight to national conversations about the importance of maintaining a fair, impartial judiciary.

The Chapter also aligned its message with remarks from Chief Justice John Roberts, whose 2024 Year-End Report warned that rhetoric undermining judicial legitimacy poses a serious threat to democracy. The Maryland Chapter echoes this concern, calling attention to the essential role judges play in upholding constitutional rights, ensuring due process, and maintaining public confidence in the legal system.

Full Text of the Statement in Defense of Judicial Independence

THE MARYLAND CHAPTER OF THE FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION STANDS IN DEFENSE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE

The Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association stands with other bar associations and organizations that condemn attacks on our independent federal judiciary. We will work tirelessly to combat the growing wave of unjust and unsubstantiated threats to public faith in our judicial system.

The Maryland Chapter condemns, in the strongest terms, all forms of violence, intimidation, disinformation, and threats to defy lawfully entered judgments and orders.

In recent weeks, political leaders have referred to members of the judiciary as “corrupt” and have threatened impeachment proceedings over rulings with which they disagree. Others have made or encouraged threats of violence against judges charged with deciding critical issues of executive action.

Chief Justice John Roberts has warned that these forms of illegitimate discourse threaten our independent judiciary and, ultimately, our nation’s rule of law. Chief Justice Roberts’ 2024 Year End Report reaffirms former Chief Justice Rehnquist’s observation that an independent federal judiciary is one of the “crown jewels of our system of government.” Respect for the judiciary is a pillar on which our constitutional democracy stands.

As our judges continue to face threats and intimidation, we stand with them. As actors, foreign and domestic, spread false information about our judiciary and court orders, we will work to reinforce public confidence in our judicial process. The strength of our democracy depends on our nation’s adherence to the rule of law.

We stand with the federal judiciary to ensure our judges can continue to provide the fair and independent administration of justice without fear or favor.

Supporting Judges in a Time of Rising Threats

While the Defense of the Judiciary Statement is national in implication, its local impact is deeply felt in Maryland. Over the past year, courts in the state have had to navigate public scrutiny, increasing caseloads, and rising pro se filings. Legal professionals throughout the Maryland Chapter have observed the growing pressure on judges and court personnel. As threats against judges become more frequent—ranging from verbal intimidation to targeted misinformation campaigns—bar associations across the country have begun issuing statements similar to the one made by the FBA Maryland Chapter.

What distinguishes this statement is its direct engagement with both recent political rhetoric and longer-term structural threats. The Chapter's alignment with Chief Justice Roberts and citation of his warnings underscores a shared concern: public faith in the judiciary cannot be sustained if disinformation and hostility are left unchecked. Judges are not policymakers or pundits—they are interpreters of the law, bound by precedent and constitutional principle. By recognizing their role, the FBA Maryland Chapter reinforces its commitment to a legal system rooted in objectivity, fairness, and resilience.

Lawyers, judges, and advocates throughout Maryland are encouraged to share and endorse the statement as part of their responsibility to the legal community. By joining this unified stand, members of the bar affirm their commitment to judicial independence as not just a legal principle, but a civic duty.

For further information, please contact the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter.