Full Breakdown
Judges’ Rust Belt Bus Tour Calls Out Threats to Judicial Independence
7/12/2026, 12:53:45 AM
Core Event: Four-Day Tour Across the Rust Belt
From July 7 to July 10, a bipartisan coalition of sitting and retired state and federal judges traveled by bus through Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The delegation stopped at courthouses, community centers, schools and a public library in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, delivering a unified message that the rule of law is under “grave danger.” Funded by the nonpartisan groups Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic, the tour was billed as a test of public concern for the judiciary’s independence.
Background & Context
The tour coincided with the United States’ 250th anniversary and follows a surge in political attacks on judges. President Donald Trump has repeatedly labeled judges who rule against his administration “crooked,” “wacky,” and “unpatriotic.” In March, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public rebuke, warning that personal criticism of federal judges is “dangerous” and must stop. The U.S. Marshals Service reported 564 threats against federal judges in the fiscal year ending September 2025, up from 509 the year before.
Key Figures & Groups
- Michael Donnelly – former Ohio Supreme Court justice and tour spokesperson.
- Maureen O’Connor – former Ohio Supreme Court chief justice, highlighted the need for public trust.
- Betty Sutton – Ohio 9th District Court of Appeals judge, addressed crowds on the tour.
- Victoria Roberts – former U.S. District Court judge, joined the Michigan stop.
- John Roberts – Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, provided a rare institutional response.
- Supporting organizations included Keep Our Republic, Democracy Rising Collaborative, Common Cause, the Ohio State Bar Association and the League of Women Voters.
Data & Statistics
- 564 documented threats against federal judges in FY 2025.
- 509 threats recorded in FY 2024, indicating a measurable escalation.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Justice John Roberts said personal attacks on judges are “dangerous” and must cease, a comment interpreted as a direct response to the administration’s rhetoric. The Marshals Service confirmed the rise in threats, underscoring heightened security concerns for the bench. President Trump’s public remarks labeling a district judge “crooked” and suggesting Supreme Court justices acted on foreign interests were cited by tour participants as evidence of an “expansive, legally dubious interpretation of executive power.”
Criticism & Opposition
Some retired judges, such as Ron Adrine, warned that participation could be perceived as partisan, emphasizing the need for a truly bipartisan effort. Adrine noted, “A lot of judges have been really careful about standing up for some of this… There is nothing partisan about it.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Judges read children’s books, handed out pocket-sized Constitutions, and walked in robes with purple roses symbolizing independence. At a Pennsylvania courthouse, O’Connor’s Lagotto Romagnolo puppy “Carlo” was dubbed a “democracy defender.” Community members voiced concerns about politicized courts, with one attendee stating, “You want to make sure that people who are enforcing the law are going to be fair and honest.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “But these are not normal times and when you see the politicization of the judiciary taking place and at the speed in which it is ... I have no other choice than to get out and speak out about it.” — Michael Donnelly, former Ohio Supreme Court justice
- “ “Personally directed hostility is dangerous,” Roberts said, “and it’s got to stop.” — John Roberts, Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court
- “There’s no basis in fact to what is being said, and, yet, that’s a loud microphone and there are people that… start to believe. We have to push back on that with the truth.” — Maureen O’Connor, former Ohio Supreme Court chief justice
- “You have to be the voices out there, making people understand that the judges aren’t just the names at the end of the ballot.” — Betty Sutton, Ohio 9th District Court of Appeals judge
- “I don’t want to say we have moved into an era of lawlessness, but it sometimes feels that way,” — Victoria Roberts, former U.S. District Court judge
What’s Next
Tour organizers expressed hope that the model will be replicated in other states, stating, “Let’s bring this kind of thing to other states. I think it can be done and it should be done.” The judges plan to continue public outreach to build a grassroots firewall against future attacks on judicial independence.
