1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

As your constituent, I am writing to express my concern about recent events threatening judicial independence and the separation of powers, which are vital to our republic. In March 2025, Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia warned that disregard for court orders could lead to a constitutional crisis. This was not a political statement but a legitimate concern for the erosion of judicial independence, a safeguard of liberty described in Federalist 78. The situation has worsened. According to The Washington Post, federal officials have violated court orders in one-third of over 160 lawsuits against the administration. When Judge Boasberg held the administration accountable for defying deportation orders, they responded with a DOJ misconduct complaint against him. This retaliation sets a dangerous precedent, enabling future administrations to intimidate judges who challenge executive overreach. This issue is not about specific policies but about preserving the constitutional framework our founders designed. If any administration can retaliate against judges for fulfilling their constitutional duties, it undermines the separation of powers and the rule of law. The principle that no one is above the law—including the executive branch—is essential to American democracy. When that principle is eroded, constitutional governance is at risk. Most concerning is the precedent this sets. If normalized, future administrations could use similar tactics to silence conservative judges on issues like religious liberty, gun rights, or property rights. Judicial independence is critical for safeguarding all Americans’ rights and maintaining checks on government power. I urge you to make a clear public statement in support of judicial independence and the principle that judges must be free from retaliation in the exercise of their duties. Additionally, I ask that you publicly affirm the importance of free speech for the judiciary and condemn any efforts to undermine or intimidate judges. Please use your oversight powers to hold hearings on executive compliance with court orders and investigate the use of administrative complaints as tools for intimidation. Furthermore, I urge you to support measures to strengthen judicial independence, improve accountability for administrations failing to comply with court orders, and protect judges from retaliation. These actions are essential to preserving the constitutional balance of power and protecting Americans' freedoms. I respectfully request your leadership in defending the separation of powers, judicial independence, and free speech. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your response and the steps you plan to take.