Article III Coalition
The Article III Coalition is a distinguished group of retired federal district and circuit court judges who stand united to speak about the separation of powers and the importance of an independent judiciary.
Constitution Day Letter
Open Letter Signed by Former Judges
Since 1787 our Constitution has stood firm. Now so must we all.On this day in 1787, our founders put aside their differences and signed the Constitution. As former federal judges, we each took an oath to support and defend the Constitution.
We come from different corners of America and have been appointed by presidents of both parties, but our commitment to our oath and the Constitution knows neither party nor retirement date. We are now compelled to speak out, as sitting judges cannot, because the Constitution is under attack. Sitting judges, bound by a code of ethics, can only speak sparingly through their opinions. We are no longer so constrained.
The founders of our nation, having defeated the most powerful monarchy of the day, blazed a new trail in establishing our constitutional republic of three separate and coequal branches of government. Our founders recognized that an independent judiciary, free from political pressure, was essential to protecting Americans’ newly won liberty. As Alexander Hamilton wrote, “there is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.” Put plainly, a judicial branch cowed by the political branches cannot safeguard the rights of all citizens.
Misinformation, disinformation, and fiery rhetoric distort public understanding of the judiciary’s critical role in maintaining our democracy. Threats against judges and their families are obvious attempts to intimidate, harass, and pressure judges and sway their opinions, shaking the public’s trust and confidence in the courts.
This Constitution Day, we pledge to strengthen America’s democracy by mobilizing a better-informed citizenry.
We are speaking out to protect the Constitution and all that it stands for. Its principles should be celebrated as the foundation of our nation. We call upon every American to join us in upholding judicial independence for our own and future generations as our founders envisioned and the Constitution guarantees.
Keep Our Republic’s Article III Coalition:
Judge Wayne R. Andersen – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Judge John W. Bissell – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Judge Michael Burrage – Formerly of the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern & Western Districts of Oklahoma
Judge Robert J. Cindrich – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Judge David H. Coar – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Judge Andre M. Davis – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland & U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Judge Bernice B. Donald – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee & U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Judge William F. Downes – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming
Judge Allyson K. Duncan – Formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Judge Gary E. Feess – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Judge Jeremy D. Fogel – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Judge Royal Furgeson, Jr. – Formerly of the U.S. District Courts for the Western District of Texas & Northern District of Texas
Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Judge Irma E. Gonzalez – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Judge Paul W. Grimm – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Judge Andrew J. Guilford – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Judge Thelton Henderson – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Judge Robert H. Henry – Formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Judge Faith S. Hochberg – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Judge Richard J. Holwell – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge John E. Jones III – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Judge Abdul K. Kallon – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Judge George H. King – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Judge Barbara M. Lynn – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Judge Robert B. Kugler – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey & U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
Judge Beverly B. Martin – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia & U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Judge John S. Martin – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge A. Howard Matz – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Judge Paul R. Michel – Formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Judge Carlos R. Moreno – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Judge Margaret M. Morrow – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Judge Liam O’Grady – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia & U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
Judge Kathleen M. O’Malley – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio & U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Judge Layn R. Phillips – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Judge Philip M. Pro – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada
Judge Victoria A. Roberts – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Judge Shira A. Scheindlin – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Judge Deanell R. Tacha – Formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Judge David S. Tatel – Formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
Judge John Daniel Tinder – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana & U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Judge Ursula M. Ungaro – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Judge T. John Ward – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Judge Paul J. Watford – Formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Judge Diane P. Wood – Formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Judge Lee Yeakel – Formerly of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Drawing on centuries of collective judicial experience, Coalition members have unique credibility to uphold the bedrock of American democracy – the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.
The civic education work of the Coalition inform citizens why an independent judiciary matters, how courts safeguard rights and maintain constitutional checks and balances, and the critical role that impartial justice plays in keeping our republic.
in action
The Coalition's Work
In May 2025, the Article III Coalition launched with a call to action for fellow retired judges to stand up and speak out for an independent judiciary without fear or favor.
Since then, the Coalition is touring the country, engaging with the media and communities to emphasize the importance of equal justice under the law.
