Wyoming Attorneys Urge State Delegation to Condemn Attacks on Federal Judiciary

Over 100 members of the Wyoming State Bar have sent a letter urging the state’s congressional delegation to condemn recent attacks on the federal judiciary, Oil City News reports.

The letter, addressed to Rep. Harriet Hageman, Sen. John Barrasso, and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, emphasizes the growing concerns over rhetoric and misinformation aimed at discrediting judges and undermining the American Rule of Law.

The letter, which was shared with media outlets on Wednesday, strongly criticized the Trump administration and its allies for their inflammatory language regarding federal judges. The attorneys pointed to social media posts and public statements that have targeted judges who ruled against the administration.

The letter highlighted the rhetoric that has escalated to calls for impeaching judges, with notable examples including remarks made by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency. In particular, Trump labeled Judge James E. Boasberg a “troublemaker and agitator” in the deportations case and called for his impeachment, a stance echoed by Musk.

The Wyoming attorneys expressed alarm over the increased threats of violence against federal judges, a situation exacerbated by what they called “evidence-free attacks” on the judiciary.

“Aside from the calls to violence, the amount of invective and misinformation being shared on X and other sites about judges and calls for their impeachment is unprecedented in our history,” the letter said.

The signatories also pointed to Chief Justice John Roberts’ rare public statement rebuking such calls, reiterating the long-established principle that judicial impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreements over court decisions.

The letter stressed that the attacks on the judiciary are part of a larger effort to undermine judicial independence, a core principle of the US legal system. The bar members urged the delegation to speak out against these efforts, warning that silence in the face of such threats could be seen as complicity.

“We understand there is an appetite among sizeable members of the electorate for radical change at any cost, but the growing reckless disdain for the independence and security of our judiciary must be resisted by anyone sworn to uphold our Constitution. That includes us, and it certainly includes you,” the letter continued.

The Wyoming attorneys also noted the personal legal background of Hageman and Lummis, both of whom are attorneys themselves, and expressed their expectation that the delegation would take a strong stance against the rhetoric.

The attacks on federal judges are part of a broader political and legal struggle in the wake of the Trump administration’s policies, particularly regarding deportations and the treatment of federal workers. In recent months, Congressman Andy Ogles (R-Tn) filed articles of impeachment against US District Judge John Bates, accusing him of being a “radical LGBTQ activist” and a “child predator,” claims that have no substantiated evidence.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has discussed the potential to defund federal district courts, further fueling tensions between lawmakers and the judiciary.