A group of retired federal and state judges is traveling through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, marking the nation's 250th anniversary with a message of urgency: the rule of law is in danger and judicial independence needs defending.
Dubbed "Justice in Motion," the tour aims to bolster public trust in the court system, which has seen a decline in confidence in recent years amid increasing political polarization. The judges are holding events in courthouses and public spaces, departing from the typically reserved approach of the judiciary.
Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly stated that the country is at a "precipice" and has an opportunity to "reinstall those beliefs that we are a country of laws and not of men.” The tour is a response to what participants describe as an "existential threat" to the rule of law, fueled by rhetoric that undermines judicial fairness.
Federal judges, in particular, have faced increased scrutiny and threats. The U.S. Marshals Service reported 564 threats against federal judges in the government fiscal year ending September 2023, an increase from 509 the previous year. Some judges have spoken out about receiving death threats and profane messages.
Timothy Lewis, a former federal judge and participant in the tour, pointed to the politicization of the judicial branch, referencing the Senate's blocking of Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination a decade ago as a tipping point. He expressed fundamental concerns about the nation's direction.
The tour began in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and proceeded through Washington, Pennsylvania, Columbus and Wooster in Ohio, and Cleveland before reaching its final stop in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The chosen locations, including historic areas and former industrial hubs, are intended to reach a broad audience.
Organizers, the Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic, were inspired by a similar campaign in Poland in 2021. The U.S. tour seeks to educate the public about the role of the judiciary and constitutional principles. Maureen O'Connor, former chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, emphasized the risk of allowing "voices of misinformation" to shape the narrative about the judiciary if judges do not speak out.
The tour includes approximately 30 judges, with diverse political backgrounds, joined by former state officials and lawyers. They aim to foster connections and rebuild confidence, recognizing that "the lifeblood of the judiciary is public confidence."