...
By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Lawyers are organizing demonstrations at courthouses across the United States on May 1 in protest of the current Trump administration, warning that the judiciary and legal profession "are facing unprecedented challenges."
More than 100 demonstrations are listed on a website dedicated to the "Law Day of Action," organized by nonprofit group Lawyers for Good Government. Dozens of local bar associations and legal groups are listed as sponsors.
These protests are non-partisan and non-violent, and they exist to promote public understanding of the Trump administration's attacks on lawyers and judges.
Read More on U.S.
Newsweek reached out to Lawyers for Good Government via email for comment.
...
Why It Matters
Lawyers are taking to the street because they see the Trump administration's attacks on the judiciary and the rule of law as actions which "threaten the very foundation of fairness and equal justice."
The protests' core principles are: upholding the rule of law, defending judicial independence, and protecting the independence of the legal profession.
What To Know
...
President Donald Trump and members of his administration have had several legal setbacks to their sweeping government overhauls. Instead of abiding by these judgments, they have said that "activist judges" are impeding their actions.
Judges are a co-equal branch of government and have the right and power to block federal actions that they deem illegal.
The FBI arrested a sitting judge, Hannah Dugan, on April 25 after accusing her of preventing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from carrying out a warrant. Trump critics are pointing to this as another attempt to undermine the judiciary by intimidating judges with threats of arrest.
The Trump administration has also worked to sanction and freeze out law firms that have worked on cases against the president. It has struck deals with other law firms to have their lawyers work on cases pro bono for the government.
These cases include working as pro bono lawyers for police officers accused of misconduct, according to a new executive order from Trump.
Another attack on the rule of law comes in the form of the president's attempts to remove the right to due process. More than 260 people have been arrested and deported to El Salvador without having the opportunity to plead their case to a judge, despite this being a fundamental pillar of the American legal system.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he should not have to hold a "lengthy legal process, separately, for each and every Criminal Alien."
In the U.S., a person can only be proven to be a criminal if they are subject to a legal process.
The lawyers plan to begin their protests across the U.S. at noon local time. The protests are occurring at courthouses in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Maine, Washington, and several other states. There will also be a protest outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.
A spokesperson for the National Law Day of Action told Newsweek: "When lawyers and judges are targeted simply for doing their jobs—representing clients, issuing rulings, upholding the Constitution—our democracy is in danger."
"The rule of law is not just an abstract principle—it's something we are willing to fight for," said protest organizers.
These protests are happening on the same day as mass May Day actions across the country, which are being held to express public opposition to Trump administration policies, demand protection and expansion of Medicaid and Social Security, and call for stronger union protections and fair wages.
A spokesperson for May Day Strong told Newsweek that they are aware of several actions occurring today and that they "stand in solidarity with all who are fighting against government corruption."
...
What People Are Saying
National Law Day of Action, on its website: "The principles of judicial independence and the legal profession—cornerstones of American democracy—are facing unprecedented challenges. Join attorneys, law students, and judges nationwide for a powerful demonstration to defend these essential foundations of our democracy."
A spokesperson for the National Law Day of Action told Newsweek: "At a minimum, lawyers need to speak out. Silence in this moment is complicity. But beyond that, legal professionals can use every tool at their disposal: litigate where rights are being violated, support colleagues under attack, train and mentor the next generation to defend the Constitution, and help the public understand what's at stake. The legal system only works if people believe it will protect them, and lawyers have a responsibility to ensure that belief is upheld."
A spokesperson for May Day Strong previously told Newsweek: "We must put the lives of families first. We must stand up to billionaires who are infiltrating and manipulating our government, push back against the Trump Administration which seeks to dismantle our government and target attacks on our communities and protect our friends, family members and neighbors from these attacks."
The American Bar Association, in a statement released in February: "The ABA calls for every lawyer and legal organization to speak with one voice and to condemn the efforts of any administration that suggests its actions are beyond the reach of judicial review. We also call for condemnation and rejection of calls for the impeachment of a judge who did not rule in a certain way."
What Happens Next
These protests are being organized to raise more public awareness of the Trump administration's impact on lawyers and judges. There will likely be more protests in the future.
A spokesperson for the National Law Day of Action told Newsweek that they plan to keep their coalition organized and ready to work collectively to "raise alarm bells as the voice of lawyers nationwide."
Update 5/1/25, 11:30 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 5/2/25, 5:16 am ET: This article was updated to include comment from the National Law Day of Action.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines