Chief Justice John Roberts warned Tuesday that personal attacks on judges are dangerous and must cease.

Roberts made the comments during a speaking event at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston, Texas. Responding to a question from U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal, he distinguished between legitimate criticism of judicial decisions and personal hostility. "The problem sometimes is that the criticism can move from a focus on legal analysis to personalities," Roberts said. "And you see from all over, I mean, not just any one political perspective on it, that it's more directed in a personal way, and that, frankly, can be actually quite dangerous."

"Judges around the country work very hard to get it right. And if they don't, their opinions are subject to criticism. But personally directed hostility is dangerous, and it's got to stop," he added.

The remarks came days after President Donald Trump issued sharp criticisms of the Supreme Court and a federal judge on Truth Social. Trump targeted the court's recent 6-3 decision invalidating his sweeping tariffs on imports, a ruling authored by Roberts. In a Sunday post, Trump called the court "inept and embarrassing," accused it of "hurting our country," and labeled it a "weaponized and unjust Political Organization." He criticized Roberts and other justices in the majority, including appointees Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett.

Trump also attacked U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, calling him "Wacky, Nasty, Crooked, and totally Out of Control." Boasberg had blocked Justice Department subpoenas in a probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, pursued by a Trump-appointed prosecutor. Trump called for Boasberg's removal from related cases and "serious disciplinary action." Several Republicans have echoed calls for Boasberg's impeachment.

Roberts did not name Trump or any individual but stressed that such rhetoric crosses a line. He previously defended Boasberg last year against impeachment calls and rebuked Trump for suggesting it as a response to judicial disagreement. In his 2024 year-end report, Roberts highlighted violence, intimidation, and threats as threats to judicial independence.

Federal judges have reported a rise in violent threats in recent years. Roberts noted that while criticism can be healthy and necessary, personal attacks undermine public confidence in the judiciary. He emphasized that judges expect scrutiny but reject hostility aimed at individuals rather than decisions.