Slate News Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts - The “Civility” Problem for Judges
May 9, 2026
Robert S. Lasnik, a longtime federal judge who speaks on threats to the judiciary, and Jeremy Fogel, former federal judge and judicial ethics advocate. They discuss rising threats to judges amplified by social media and political rhetoric. They explore how executive attacks, erosion of institutional norms, and the meaning of judicial civility reshape the courts' independence.
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Judge Salas Family Murdered After Doxing Attack
- Violent attacks have real human cost illustrated by Judge Esther Salas's family tragedy in 2020 when her son was killed after her home was targeted.
- Dahlia references the incident to show threats can escalate to lethal outcomes and drive security reforms.
Technology Supercharges Threats Against Judges
- Judicial threats are amplified now by technology and social media, creating viral attacks far beyond past nasty letters or isolated threats.
- Jeremy Fogel contrasts his experience of hundreds of threats decades ago with today's millions, exponential growth, and persistent intensity.
Top Officials Now Drive Anti‑Judiciary Rhetoric
- Attacks on the judiciary now sometimes originate from the highest levels of government, which is historically novel and especially dangerous.
- Robert S. Lasnik warns that impeachment threats and 'war' rhetoric from the President or Attorney General break long-standing norms protecting judicial independence.