This March 12, 2013, still image taken from United States Courts shows Judge James Robart listening to a case at Seattle Courthouse in Seattle. (United States Courts via AP)

This March 12, 2013, still image taken from United States Courts shows Judge James Robart listening to a case at Seattle Courthouse in Seattle. (United States Courts via AP)

Trump attacks on judiciary raise safety concerns for judges

By Martha Bellisle

The Associated Press

SEATTLE — When a judge who helped derail President Donald Trump’s travel ban was hit with online threats, the abuse raised safety concerns among jurists across the country, and experts are worried that the president’s own attacks on the judiciary could make judges a more inviting target.

U.S. District Judge James Robart imposed the temporary restraining order that halted enforcement of Trump’s ban last week. The president soon sent a tweet saying the opinion of “this so-called judge” was “ridiculous and will be overturned.”

Robart quickly became a target on social media. Someone on Twitter called him a “DEAD MAN WALKING” and another on Facebook suggested that he be imprisoned at the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, “where other enemies of the US are held.”

“I know there’s a fear among the judiciary with what’s being said,” said John Muffler, a former U.S. marshal who teaches security at the Reno, Nev.-based National Judicial College. He cited professional contacts and email exchanges with judges.

The president’s critical comments have consequences, he added, because “people on the edge can easily be pushed over the edge once the rhetoric gets going.”

Trump blasted the federal court system again Wednesday after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether Robart’s temporary restraining order should stand.

During a speech to law enforcement officials, the president said the “courts seem to be so political” and called the hearing “disgraceful.”

The next day, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump had “no regrets” about his criticism of judges.

Threats against judges are nothing new. They often come in the form of emails, phone calls, letters and social media posts, according to court records and the U.S. Marshal Service, which is responsible for protecting the federal judiciary.

Judges are well-guarded at their courthouse offices, but most do not receive protection when at home or out in the community. The Marshal Service offers extra protection if judges are threatened or handling especially sensitive or high-profile cases.

All judges are also entitled to a home security system, Muffler said.

Over the past few years, marshals have responded to thousands of threats against court officials. Many are not serious, but some are more dangerous.

A Minnesota man used Twitter to threaten a federal judge overseeing a case against ISIS supporters.

In Seattle, a defendant left phone messages and sent letters to two judges saying he would kill, stab, poison and bomb them because of their rulings.

A white supremacist in Virginia sent electronic messages threatening to kidnap, torture, rape and kill a judge, his spouse, children and grandchildren.

Chad Schmucker, president of the Judicial College, said “assaults on judges don’t occur every day, but threats do.” He said they are usually made by “disturbed people or people who are very angry.”

“Inflammatory language,” he said, “doesn’t help the situation and can make judges very nervous.”

The marshals conducted hundreds of investigations and some prosecutions last year, according to the agency’s 2016 annual report. They declined to release data on 2017 threats.

Threatening to kill a federal judge is a Class C felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School and a former assistant U.S. attorney, said Trump’s comments about Robart were “irresponsible.”

“It’s demeaning and it’s dangerous,” she said, and “an attack on the rule of law.”

The remarks could also inspire violence, she said.

“The last thing you want to do is give a green light to someone who is misguided and thinks they’re doing a public service in attacking judges, physically or otherwise,” Levenson said.

Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, has described the president’s criticism of the judiciary as “demoralizing and disheartening.”

Personal attacks and threats against Robart abound on social media.

On a Facebook page about the judge, some people wrote thank-you notes to him, but others called him a disgrace, a traitor and a “bow tie wearing freak.”

One man directed his note at Robart, saying he couldn’t wait “to read about the bad karma that is going to land on your weak slumping shoulders.”

One woman wrote: “Open ur home to them if anything happens to anyone in this country like 911 there (sic) blood is on your head, and I will remember to rip u one.”

Another said, “who in your family is expendable Robart?”

Drew Wade, spokesman for the U.S. Marshals Service, declined to discuss the judge’s situation. The FBI also declined to comment.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Jill Zarzeczny of Port Angeles, left, and her children, Althea Zarzeczny, 4, and Lupine Zarzeczny, 9, look for marine life beneath the sand during Tuesday's low tide at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles. The minus 2.99 tide qualified as one of the lowest of the year with tides of minus 2.53 at La Push, minus 2.70 at Makah Bay, minus 2.55 at Seiku, minus 2.74 at Crescent Bay, minus 3.08 at Dungeness, minus 3.42 at Port Townsend and minus 3.82 at Dabob Bay. Similar low tides are forecast for the rest of the week across the North Olympic Peninsula.
Lowest tides on Peninsula

Jill Zarzeczny of Port Angeles, left, and her children, Althea Zarzeczny, 4,… Continue reading

In a PT Artscape project, Blue Heron Middle School teacher Charlie Fornia, left, and artist Jesse Watson finish painting a “Welcome to PTHS” mural on the woodshop building at Port Townsend High School. PT Artscape hired Watson to design the mural and hosted a morning of painting with elementary, middle school and high school students from around Port Townsend. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)
Welcome mural at Port Townsend High School

In a PT Artscape project, Blue Heron Middle School teacher Charlie Fornia,… Continue reading

Sill
Clallam restarts search for county administrator

HR director has filled spot for four years

Road work to close part of Race Street today

The northbound lane of Race Street will be closed… Continue reading

The North Olympic Library System is hosting a series of open houses to showcase its new bookmobile.
Bookmobile open houses scheduled

The North Olympic Library System is hosting a series… Continue reading

Racers in the Race to Alaska pass by the cheers and well wishes from the hundreds of spectators lining the docks at the Northwest Maritime Center when the cannon went off at 5 a.m. Monday, starting the 750-mile journey from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, Alaska. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
And they’re off to the Proving Ground

Race to Alaska boats to leave Victoria on Thursday

With emotions running high, the skipper of the boat, Jordan Hanssen, and crewman Greg Spooner share a hug as the boat is pulled up the ramp under the eyes of spectators lining the dock at the Port Townsend Boat Haven on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rowboat that set record recycled

Ceremonial ‘wake’ held for 30-foot vessel

Burn ban in effect in Jefferson County

Clallam County to prohibit fires by July 1

Most Read