A road trip to save democracy? These judges say it's worth a shot [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated July 11, 2026, 11:41 a.m. ET


Michael Donnelly is used to speaking to the public through his judicial opinions. No more, the former Ohio Supreme Court justice said.

So Donnelly, along with a bipartisan group of sitting and retired state and federal judges, did what their profession trains them not to do: speak out in public about what is happening to the courts.

"It's not something I'm comfortable about. During my 20 years on the bench, I never went out and spoke about my opinions. I just let our opinions speak for themselves," Donnelly said. "But these are not normal times and when you see the politicization of the judiciary taking place and at the speed in which it is ... I have no other choice than to get out and speak out about it."

Traveling by bus over four days this week, the group made a dozen stops across Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, speaking with elementary and high school students, lawyers, activists and concerned citizens about the importance of an independent judiciary and the rule of law. Funded by nonpartisan pro-civic engagement groups – Democracy Rising Collaborative and Keep Our Republic – the trip served as a test case for whether Americans are concerned about challenges to the judicial branch's powers.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/11/judges-road-trip-judicial-independence-trump-administration/90821051007/