“We reject demeaning attacks on judges and the insistence that federal judges do not have the authority to review or restrain actions of the Executive Branch.”

Introduction

The Respect Judges Initiative is launching this website to reach out to anyone concerned about recent threats to our democracy, and especially to our courts.  Over 300 Minnesota attorneys and retired judges recently signed our Respect Judges Letter.  The Letter emphasizes the obligation of judges to apply constitutional principles when deciding the legality of actions being taken by the current administration in Washington. 

This website and the letter were created by a group of former law partners in the Twin Cities. The group concluded it could no longer stay silent while fundamental constitutional principles were being put at risk.

Call to Action

Join our initiative.  We want to grow support for our message both within and beyond the legal profession.  Please read the Letter.  We hope you will agree that our courts must remain independent and that judges must continue to fairly and fearlessly call out unconstitutional government activity. If you do, become a regular follower and contributor to this Website.  You can do this by using the Contact Us page and by providing your contact information.

Next Steps

We are currently working on new ideas for future editions of the website.  We hope it will become a forum for discussing critical issues such as whether an atmosphere of intimidation has been created by politicized criticism of individual judges and their decisions.  We must ask if judges can fairly carry out their obligation to resolve legal disputes on the facts and the law where threats to their safety and that of  their families is on the rise. We invite a robust discussion about how the public can be better educated about the importance of an independent judiciary that will focus on the Constitution and 250 years of pro-democracy norms.

While we prepare our next edition, consider posting the link for our website on social media to which you subscribe and to explore other websites and news sources exploring the importance of respect for judges and the Rule of Law.