New York City Bar Association Statement
The New York City Bar Association (“City Bar”) condemns the remarks delivered by Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General (“DAG”) of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), on November 7, 2025, at the annual conference of the Federalist Society, in which he described the Administration as being at “war” with the federal judiciary and invited young lawyers to “join the fight” against purported “activist judges.” Blanche’s belligerent rhetoric presents a serious threat to the safety of judges in a time when violence toward judges is at unprecedented levels. His remarks also reflect a broader attitude within the leadership of the DOJ that views the judiciary as an adversary to be vanquished, rather than a co-equal branch of government intended to serve as a check on the executive. DAG Blanche’s comments and the attitude they reflect serve to undermine the rule of law, erode the separation of powers and threaten the physical safety of individual judges and their families.
Speaking to an audience of young attorneys, DAG Blanche suggested that unnamed “rogue” federal judges were issuing rulings based on political bias rather than the law, reportedly stating that certain judges “have a robe on but they are more political or certainly as political as the most liberal governor or D.A. There’s a group of judges that are repeat players, and that’s obviously not by happenstance, that’s intentional . . . .” He repeatedly referred to the Trump Administration as being at “war” with the judiciary, observing that “[t]he system is not set up for efficiency when it comes to rogue activist judges.”[1]
DAG Blanche’s remarks come at a time when actual and threatened violence against the judiciary has reached record levels in our country. According to data maintained by the U.S. Marshals Service, threats and hostile communications directed at judges have more than tripled in the past decade.[2] The number of threats increases each year, with 2025 on pace to surpass previous highs.[3]
The threats against the judiciary have taken multiple forms, from swatting (fake emergency calls to a person’s home to draw a response), to doxxing (publishing personal information online), to death threats against judges and their families. Threats have become so pervasive that, in some jurisdictions, judicial officers have been issued bullet-proof vests for public events and require additional security because of threats related to their decisions.[4] In May, Reuters reported that family members of at least eleven federal judges had faced threats of violence or harassment after ruling against the Trump Administration.[5]
In far too many instances, the targeting of judges has escalated from threats to actual or attempted violence.
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The New York City Bar Association unequivocally supports the federal judicial branch and state judiciaries. Our federal and state judges go to work each day, rule on challenging cases, and yet, have been targeted by the Trump Administration and others for fulfilling their constitutional roles. We unwaveringly support the judiciary, thank our judges for their service and commit to defending judicial institutions when they cannot speak for themselves. We call upon and encourage all lawyers to do the same.
USA: Deputy Attorney General’s “War” on the Judiciary is an Assault on Judicial Independence
