Utah’s top judicial officers made a rare public rebuke Monday against threats towards Utah 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson, who recently threw out a map drawn by Republican legislators in the state’s yearslong redistricting lawsuit.
“Though the Utah Judiciary does not comment on the specifics of any threats made toward judges or court employees, we acknowledge that such incidents have recently occurred,” the statement issued Monday read. “We call on everyone to approach concerns involving the courts with civility, respect, and constructive dialogue.”
The statement on behalf of the Utah Judiciary came via courts spokesperson Tania Mashburn.
It comes one week after Gibson ruled that a congressional map chosen by the GOP lawmakers was an “extreme” partisan gerrymander.
“Judges have a constitutional duty to apply the law to the facts before them, independent of external pressures,” the statement read. “That independence is essential to preserving the separation of powers and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and impartially.”
The threats towards Gibson, which were acknowledged Monday by both the state courts and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, come as some Republicans call for her impeachment.
Minutes after Gibson issued her ruling late last Monday night, Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, said on the social media platform X that he had “opened a bill to file articles of impeachment against Judge Gibson for gross abuse of power, violating the separation of powers and failing to uphold her oath of office to the Utah Constitution.”
Other GOP members of the Legislature have also taken aim at Gibson’s position.
During a special session last month where lawmakers adopted their preferred congressional map, Pleasant Grove Republican Sen. Brady Brammer, who is also an attorney, said it would be “malfeasance” for Gibson to adopt any other map, a term under Utah law required for the impeachment of a judge.
The judiciary said in their statement Monday that the threats against Gibson have gone beyond just threats of impeachment.
“Threats of violence against judges or court personnel are unacceptable, dangerous, and may violate state or federal law,” the statement read. “Any conduct aimed at causing fear for a ruling or undermining the safe operation of the justice system strikes at the heart of the rule of law. Such actions endanger not only the individuals targeted but the functioning of the justice system itself.”
A spokesperson for the courts said they could not comment any further about the nature of the threats against Gibson.
Henderson, on social media, commended the judiciary for speaking out.
“I’m glad to see Utah State Courts speak strongly against threats toward members of the judiciary,” she wrote in a social media post. “Lincoln warned that a ‘mobocratic spirit’ would destroy our country. Threatening and violent rhetoric encourages some people to take threatening and violent action. It’s never okay.”
A spokesperson for Henderson did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment or details about the threats against Gibson.
The statements from the judiciary and Henderson follow a condemnation last week from the Utah State Bar regarding the threats of impeachment levied against Gibson.
“Judges are charged with applying the law to the facts of their cases without regard to politics or public opinion,” the bar said Tuesday. “Using impeachment as retaliation for an unfavorable decision undermines the rule of law and the separation of powers that safeguard our system of government.”
The judiciary, the bar wrote, “must remain free from political pressure so all Utahns can have confidence in fair, impartial courts. Impeachment is reserved for serious misconduct, and disagreement should instead be addressed through the appeals process.”
In its statement Monday, the state judiciary noted that the “appropriate and lawful avenue” for addressing concerns about rulings is the established appellate process.
The statement concluded, “We encourage all Utahns to stand with the Judiciary in protecting the safety of our judges and employees and protecting the fair and impartial administration of justice.”
Republican lawmakers, a week after the ruling, have not appealed Gibson’s decision.
Note to readers, 3:50 p.m. • This story has been updated following additional comment from the court’s spokesperson regarding who wrote Monday’s letter.