NAWJ Reaffirms Commitment to Judicial Independence Amid Threats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Laurie Denham, Executive Director
May 1, 2025                                                                      ldenham@NAWJ.org

The National Association of Women Judges Reaffirms Commitment to Judicial Independence Amid Threats

Washington, DC — In an era marked by increasing threats to the impartiality and safety of the judiciary, the National Association of Women Judges proudly joins leading judicial organizations across the country in issuing a Joint Statement in Support of the Independence of the Judiciary. The statement affirms the essential democratic principle that judges must be free to decide cases according to the law and the Constitution—without fear of political retaliation, personal threats, or interference.

The joint statement supports U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.'s recent public remarks reaffirming this foundational principle. Quoting Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 78, the statement underscores that judicial independence is not a partisan value, but a cornerstone of constitutional democracy.

“The use of veiled and blatant threats as well as other tactics designed to intimidate judges are entirely unacceptable and run afoul of the very essence of democracy.  We will not tolerate these unseemly efforts, which undermine the foundation of the rule of law,” said Judge Michelle Rick, President of the National Association of Women Judges.  “We resolutely stand with our colleagues across the judiciary in calling on all public officials and members of the public to respect the separation of powers and safeguard the ability of judges to perform their duties without coercion or fear.”

The statement unequivocally condemns recent acts of intimidation, interference, and violence directed at judges and their families, underscoring that such conduct undermines the rule of law in a democratic society. It urges leaders across all branches of government to protect the judiciary and ensure its continued independence.

Other signatories include the National Judicial College, Federal Judges Association, Federal Magistrate Judges Association, and several other distinguished judicial institutions and leaders.

The full statement is available on the NAWJ website at this link.

About  the National Association of Women Judges

NAWJ’s mission is to promote the judicial role of protecting the rights of individuals under the rule of law through strong, committed, diverse judicial leadership; fairness and equality in the courts; and equal access to justice. For further information go to www.NAWJ.org