Durbin also condemned a provision in the Republicans’ reconciliation bill that limits courts’ power
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke out against President Trump’s attacks on the federal judiciary in the first few months of the Trump Administration. During his speech, Durbin also condemned a provision in House Republicans’ One Big, Beautiful Bill Act that would make it easier for President Trump to ignore the courts—including the Supreme Court—by gutting one of the judiciary’s most essential powers: the authority to enforce court orders.
“In the first few months of this Administration, we have witnessed unprecedented and unacceptable attacks on the federal judiciary by President Trump and his allies. In one particularly egregious example, President Trump demanded the impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against the Administration [and called him] ‘a Radical Left Lunatic, a troublemaker and agitator…’ And on Memorial Day, President Trump referred to members of the bench as ‘USA hating judges’ and ‘monsters who want our country to go to hell,’” said Durbin. “This kind of reckless, inflammatory language is part of the President’s ongoing attempt to intimidate the federal judiciary… It should be condemned by all political leaders, regardless of political party.”
Durbin went on to say that his Republican colleagues have not spoken out against President Trump in fear of retaliation. Last month, President Trump was asked if he needs to uphold the Constitution. In response, President Trump said, “I don’t know.”
“The American people have already seen and suffered through the chaos that has come from the silence of our elected officials. And so long as they fail to speak up, thechaos and lawlessness will continue,” Durbin continued.
Durbin then noted that it’s not only President Trump who is intimidating judges and attacking judicial independence—House Republicans are acting as his accomplices, filing articles of impeachment against six judges simply for ruling against President Trump. Additionally, buried within the 1,000 pages of the Republicans’ reconciliation bill is a provision that would strip federal courts of their ability to enforce a contempt citation when a party fails to comply with certain types of injunctions. The contempt power is integral to the authority of the federal courts. Without the contempt power, parties could disregard court orders.
“Currently, Trump Administration officials know that if they violate court orders, they can be held in contempt and subject to fines—or even jail time. But President Trump doesn’t want the courts or anyone else to stand in his way and that led House Republicans to advance this provision prohibiting courts from enforcing some contempt citations. This would let President Trump pursue his agenda without any concern about being held accountable in the courts. And it would prevent courts from enforcing contempt citations in all manner of cases—whether the injunction issues today, tomorrow, or even ten years ago,” Durbin said.
“Maybe House Republicans thought nobody would notice this provision. Maybe they thought nobody would have the nerve to oppose the President. But I can tell you that Senate Democrats have read the provision. We noticed it, we spoke out against it all week, and we will do everything in our power to ensure it does not become law,” Durbin continued.
Durbin then spoke about the ongoing and increasing threats to judges. Recent reporting has revealed a dramatic spike in threats against judges. Between the beginning of March and the end of May, 197 federal judges were threatened, and judges and their family members have received threats in the form of anonymous pizza deliveries to their homes.
Durbin continued, “These deliveries are meant to show that the perpetrator knows where judges and their family members live. So far, more than 100 pizzas have been delivered to more than a dozen judges and their relatives... At least 20 of these deliveries were even made using the name of Judge Esther Salas’s son, Daniel Anderl—who was murdered at his family’s home by a former litigant… These incidents are sickening. They threaten not only judges and their families, but also judicial independence and the rule of law. They must be investigated—and they must be stopped.”
Over a month ago, Durbin sent a letter to Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel asking them to investigate the deliveries and other threats against federal judges, and to provide information on steps they have taken to protect judges and their families. Durbin has yet to receive a response. This week, he sent another letter urging them to investigate these threats.
Last week, Durbin met with three federal judges to discuss judicial security—including Judge Salas.
“Our meeting also served as a reminder of how our judges have shown tremendous courage in the face of ongoing threats. We should all be grateful for their public service and their willingness to don black robes and act without fear or favor. We should also be grateful for the law enforcement officials protecting our judges. But it is not enough to merely acknowledge and appreciate the courage and dedication of our judges and our law enforcement officers,” Durbin said.
Durbin concluded, “The Justice Department and the FBI must investigate and must act now. The President and his allies must stop their attempts to intimidate a coequal branch of government. And Congressional Republicans need to step up publicly and stand behind these judges. In the meantime, I will continue to stand up for thejudiciary and highlight the need to protect our judges. And I will continue to stand against those who threaten our judges and the rule of law—whether from the right or the left. I hope my Republican colleagues will find their voices and join me.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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