Constitutional law experts are raising alarm over what they describe as a deepening erosion of judicial independence in the United States, as federal judges face mounting threats and political pressure. Kim Wehle, a constitutional law professor and former assistant US attorney, warns that when judicial decisions are driven by loyalty to individuals or ideology rather than the law itself, the foundations of democracy are placed at risk. The warnings come amid reports of death threats directed at judges, fuelling concern that rule-of-law norms in the world's oldest constitutional democracy are under serious strain.