People For's Senior Fellow Elliot Mincberg emphasized the threats that Trump has made have serious impacts on the climate regarding judges' safety.
Threats against federal judges have nearly doubled over a three-year period. Court watchers say heated political rhetoric is contributing to the hostile environment surrounding the judiciary.
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Elliot Mincberg, senior fellow at People For the American Way, said a culture of violence and the number of guns available are contributing factors to the increase. But he also said Mr. Trump’s criticism of judges who rule against his administration — or him personally — has fueled hostility.
He also said that some people view the 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, with three justices appointed by Mr. Trump, as bucking precedent and acting on ideology.
“Judges are not reaching principled decisions, and, frankly, there is some validity in that — at least, in my view, at the Supreme Court level,” Mr. Mincberg said. “These judges, some people believe, are effectively politicians.
“I have to say that Trump’s attitude towards the courts doesn’t help, and probably hurts,” he added.
