American Bar Association President William “Bill” Bay warned of pervasive attacks on judges, lawyers and the rule of law during a speech Tuesday at the City Club of Cleveland on Tuesday.
Systematic intimidation efforts that he has witnessed during his tenure as the association’s leader, Bay said,threaten the foundation of the American legal system.
“I suspect 2025 is not the year any of us envisioned. It’s not news that people are criticizing lawyers and courts. But the current assaults are pervasive, they’re relentless, and they’re destructive. And in America, they’re unprecedented,” he said.
Bay outlined four specific forms of judicial intimidation:
- Calls to impeach judges who don’t rule as desired, including from President Donald Trump.
- The posting of “wanted posters” in Congress featuring judges targeted for impeachment.
- Anonymous pizza deliveries to judges’ homes and their adult children’s residences.
- The use of social media to “demonize judges.”
“It is shameful what’s going on. It’s shameful. We must call it out for what it is,” Bay said.
U.S. District Judge Dan Polster, who moderated the discussion, confirmed the reality of these threats, saying some of his colleagues have received anonymous pizza deliveries at their homes or their children’s residences.
“I personally have not received one, but I know fellow judges who have received anonymous pizzas delivered to their homes or to the homes of their children,” Polster said.
Bay cited Chief Justice John Roberts’ report on the federal judiciary, which stated that “attempts to intimidate judges for their rulings in cases are inappropriate and should be vigorously opposed.”
Bay also expressed concern about attacks on lawyers and law firms for representing unpopular clients, noting that all 50 state Supreme Courts have established that representing a client doesn’t constitute endorsement of that client’s views.
“The issue is not how law firms have responded. The question is why the [Trump] administration pursues a strategy that is contrary to the code of ethics in every one of our 50 states,” Bay said. “These are attacks on everyone’s right to the legal representation of their choice. We must never, never, never accept such behaviors.”
In June, the American Bar Association sued the U.S. government in response to what it perceives as government intimidation.
American Bar Association President warns of judicial intimidation, threats to rule of law
