Threats to the Judiciary Spark Urgent Panel at Carey Law
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter hosted Protecting the Bench: Confronting Threats to the Judiciary. The program drew 65 attendees to the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in Baltimore.
The Carey Law chapters of the Federalist Society and the American Constitution Society co-hosted the event. The panel ran from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, followed by a reception until 7:00 PM. Retired U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm moderated the conversation, which featured four leading voices on judicial security.
Rising Threats Against Judges Spark an Urgent Conversation
Threats and acts of violence against judges have escalated sharply in recent years. The 2023 murder of Washington County Circuit Judge Andrew Wilkinson underscored the dangers facing the bench. Beyond threatening rhetoric, judges and their family members have suffered actual physical attacks. Public officials and public figures often amplify these threats through social media. Their statements can incite harassment campaigns that endanger judges and those close to them. These attacks strike at judicial independence, the separation of powers, and the rule of law itself.
Maryland Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Fader has led the state's response to the crisis. After Judge Wilkinson's assassination, Fader spearheaded efforts to study the issue and prevent further violence. He has pushed legislation in the Maryland General Assembly to establish minimum security standards for courts. He has also drawn attention to the unique risks facing state courts. State courthouses often lack the protective infrastructure available to their federal counterparts. The panel centered on what lawyers, judges, and the public can do in response.
Maryland's Task Force and Statewide Court Security Reviews
During the program, Chief Justice Fader detailed the Maryland Judiciary's internal task force. The group brought together judiciary personnel from every level of court across the state. Members took on two primary responsibilities: identifying best practices for courthouse security and conducting comprehensive facility reviews.
Judge Fader described the work in his own words:
"We also set up an internal judiciary task force made up of judiciary personnel from across the state and all the different levels of court, which were responsible for identifying best practices. It was surprising to me how difficult it was to find an established set of best practices for security in state courts across this country. We are now part of the effort leading the way to create those best practices and distribute them and disseminate them. They were also responsible for performing security reviews, comprehensive reviews of security of all of our courthouse facilities across the state, recommending improvements on things like screening at court facilities."
Moreover, Judge Fader noted the absence of established national standards for state court security. Maryland is now helping to create and disseminate those standards. The task force has reviewed courthouse facilities statewide. It has also recommended improvements to screening procedures and other security measures. Federal courts generally operate under more standardized security frameworks. State courts, by contrast, often vary widely in their resources and protocols.
A Distinguished Panel on Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law
The panel featured leaders from across the judiciary and the legal policy community. Retired U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel directs the Berkeley Judicial Institute at Berkeley Law School. He also serves on the Article III Coalition, which advocates for an independent federal judiciary. Retired U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller directs the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School. Mueller previously served as Chief Judge for the Eastern District of California. Gregg Nunziata serves as Executive Director of the Society for the Rule of Law. He previously worked as Chief Nominations Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Judge Paul Grimm moderated the discussion. He served as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland from 2012 to 2022. The speakers examined institutional reforms, the role of bar associations, and the responsibilities of public officials. They also discussed the importance of public education on judicial independence. The conversation emphasized that protecting judges protects the broader legal system. Independent courts depend on the safety and security of the people who staff them.
Continuing the Conversation Through the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter
The April 8th program reflected a broader commitment from the Maryland legal community. Practitioners, judges, and academics continue to address rising threats to the judiciary together.
The Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter regularly convenes programming on critical legal issues. Members and the public can engage with this work through ongoing CLE and educational opportunities.
For the latest programming through the FBA Maryland Chapter, please explore our upcoming events.
