Justice Anthony Kennedy calls for civil discourse and warns that rising threats to judges endanger U.S. democracy.

Kennedy Appeals for Respectful Discourse Amid Judicial Threats

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has issued a stark warning about the tone of American political discourse, arguing that rising threats against judges and the politicization of the judiciary endanger the nation's standing as a beacon of democracy. Speaking at the “Speak Up for Justice” virtual forum on Thursday, Kennedy stressed the importance of protecting judges and their families, noting that civil debate is fundamental to a healthy democracy.

“Many in the rest of the world look to the United States to see what democracy is, to see what democracy ought to be,” Kennedy said, urging that the nation’s leaders and citizens alike must set an example of respectful, substantive debate. He warned that a fractious or hostile public tone—especially one focused on identity politics—places freedom at risk and erodes confidence in democratic institutions.

Rising Attacks on Judges Raise Alarm

While Kennedy did not mention President Donald Trump by name, his remarks followed a wave of threats and political attacks on judges, including those appointed by Trump, for rulings against key administration initiatives. The forum, held just before the current Supreme Court term’s final decisions, featured jurists from the U.S. and abroad sharing concerns about growing hostility toward the judiciary.

Kennedy noted that “judges must have protection for themselves and their families” and emphasized, “judges are best protected when the public and our nation realize how central they are to our discourse.” He described civil discourse as the antidote to polarization and called for Americans to move beyond characterizing individuals by their political affiliations.

Recent incidents have spotlighted the risks. In March, President Trump labeled U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg a “radical left lunatic” after Boasberg sought to block deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. Last month, Trump derided “USA-hating” judges as “monsters who want our country to go to hell.” Such rhetoric, coupled with reports of escalating threats, has intensified concern among legal professionals.

U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, whose son was killed by a disgruntled lawyer in 2020, joined the forum to warn that attacks on the judiciary have reached unprecedented levels. Without naming Trump, Salas noted that negative portrayals of judges—calling them “rogue” or “corrupt”—were spreading from the top of government. She cited U.S. Marshals Service data indicating more than 400 threats against judges since Trump’s inauguration, warning, “We’re going to break records, people, and not in a good way.”

The forum participants concluded that safeguarding the rule of law requires renewed public commitment to civility and respect for the judiciary. As the nation approaches consequential court rulings, the call for unity and measured debate has become more urgent. Kennedy’s message was clear: the health of American democracy depends on the public’s willingness to protect both the independence and the safety of its judges.