1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Judges must be free to impartially interpret and apply the law without undue interference from the executive branch. The arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan sends a troubling message that undermines judicial independence, a vital principle of our democracy. While the circumstances around the alleged obstruction warrant scrutiny through proper judicial processes, the public spectacle of her arrest appears intended to intimidate judges from issuing rulings that clash with the administration's agenda. This encroachment on the judiciary's role erodes the system of checks and balances so crucial to governmental accountability. Congress has an obligation to safeguard the autonomy of the courts and must take measures to counteract this concerning overreach by the executive that threatens the integrity of the judicial system. Allowing such consequences for judicial decisions opens a dangerous precedent that could have far-reaching ramifications.