Trump’s vicious attacks on judges fuel his bid for unchecked power

‘Trump and his aides have treated judges with contempt and even enmity, as if judges are out-and-out traitors whenever they side with the rule of law instead of Trump.’ Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP

When Donald Trump attacked several supreme court justices as “fools”, “lapdogs”, “disloyal to our constitution” and a “disgrace to our nation” after they ruled against his tariffs on Friday, it was probably the most vicious public tirade that a US president ever leveled against the country’s highest court. But as extraordinary – and extraordinarily ugly – as Trump’s rant was, everyone should realize that it was part of a systematic campaign in which Trump and his top aides have vehemently denounced and smeared judges as part of Trump’s quest for ever more power.

Whether it’s Trump, Stephen Miller, Pam Bondi or others, Trump and his lieutenants often pummel judges with brutal rhetoric. To many judges, these attacks no doubt spur fears that some Trump loyalists will threaten them or worse.