In an unusual public statement, US District Judge Reggie Walton has expressed concern over former President Donald Trump’s verbal attacks on Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over Trump’s criminal case related to alleged hush money payments. Walton warned that such attacks could undermine the American legal system.
Walton’s comments came during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on “The Source”, following Trump’s criticism of Merchan, which led the New York judge to impose a gag order on Trump earlier this week.
“It’s deeply unsettling when someone makes threatening comments about a judge, especially when those threats target one’s family,” said Walton, who himself has faced threats, as has his daughter. “We serve in these roles because we are committed to the rule of law, which can only function effectively when judges are able to perform their duties without the fear of potential physical harm.”
Walton emphasized the importance of maintaining the rule of law to preserve democracy, and the need for independent judicial officers who can enforce and apply laws equally to everyone.
“If we don’t have a functioning court system, we have tyranny. That would be detrimental to the future of our country and our democracy,” he added.
Trump, who is also facing criminal charges in a federal election interference case, has been issued a gag order in his federal 2020 election case, limiting his ability to speak about court staff in a way that could influence his case. Despite this, Trump continues to criticize judges and others involved in his court cases where gag orders do not restrict him.
In New York, Trump has repeatedly attacked District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case and those involved with it ahead of what could be the first criminal trial of a former president. Hours before Merchan issued his gag order, Trump criticized Merchan, his daughter, and one of Bragg’s prosecutors.
Merchan’s gag order, which does not prevent Trump from talking about Bragg or himself, was issued due to “a sufficient risk to the administration of justice … and there exists no less restrictive means to prevent such risk.”
Walton praised Merchan for not including himself in the gag order, which restricts Trump from making statements about potential witnesses, attorneys, court staff, or the family members of prosecutors or lawyers intended to interfere with the case.
Walton, a senior judge of the federal trial level court in Washington, DC, since 2001, expressed his concern over threats on judges. He emphasized that despite threats, judges have an obligation to ensure fair treatment for everyone in their courtroom.
“However, it is deeply troubling when judges and their families are threatened. It’s an attack on the rule of law and is absolutely unacceptable,” Walton added.
Trump’s historic criminal trial, which includes 34 counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursements to his former attorney Michael Cohen for hush money payments made before the 2016 election to adult film star Stormy Daniels, is set to begin with jury selection on April 15. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied the affair.
This story has been updated with additional details and background information. CNN’s Katelyn Polantz contributed to this report.