1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The federal judiciary plays a vital role as an independent check on the executive and legislative branches. Unwarranted attacks on the legitimacy of judges and justices who issue rulings that constrain unilateral and potentially unlawful actions by the president pose a serious threat to the separation of powers and rule of law. We must safeguard the independence of the judiciary to prevent any president from consolidating autocratic control by removing those who uphold the Constitution over a singular political agenda. Protecting the integrity of the federal courts against retaliation for lawful rulings is essential to maintaining our democratic system of government.