On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Salon reported that a group of anonymous federal judges voiced serious concerns regarding perceived biases within the Supreme Court favoring policies of the Trump administration.
In a rare series of interviews with NBC News, twelve judges, appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, criticized the Supreme Court for allegedly undermining lower court rulings that contradict Trump’s agenda.
The judges highlighted a troubling trend where the Trump administration frequently appeals to the Supreme Court following unfavorable decisions from lower courts. With a conservative majority of 6-3, the Supreme Court has been issuing emergency rulings that often favor Trump’s policies, typically without providing clear explanations for these decisions.
Ten of the twelve judges expressed a need for reform, urging the justices to offer greater clarity in their rulings and warning of an apparent bias towards Trump. One judge remarked, “It is inexcusable,” reflecting the sentiment that the Supreme Court is failing to support lower court judges.
The judges also pointed out the increasing threats of violence against them, which have surged as a result of rulings that do not align with Trump’s policies. In 2025 alone, the U.S. Marshals Service investigated over 400 cases involving threats against judges. One judge, who characterized the Supreme Court’s actions as “inexcusable,” noted personal fears for his safety, stating, “Somebody is going to die.”
While some judges acknowledged the complexities of the situation, one Obama appointee recognized that tensions surrounding Trump’s actions have affected judicial impartiality. He referred to the phenomenon as “Trump derangement syndrome,” indicating that some judges may be losing sight of their judicial responsibilities due to their frustrations with the president.
Trump has openly criticized lower court judges whose rulings oppose his policies, labeling them as “activist judges.” He has targeted “weak and ineffective judges” on social media and has claimed that he operates above the judicial decisions he disagrees with, stating, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
Source: Salon
