Federal judges face record threat levels, marshals report 564 incidents
U.S. Marshals documented 564 threats against federal judges, with Supreme Court justices among recent targets of swatting and assassination attempts.
Event / Security
US Federal Judge Security Threats
Supreme Court justices testify before Congress about rising threats to federal judges, requesting $228 million in security funding including personal protection and residential security infrastructure.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 15 Jul, 00:01 UTC
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What happened
Chief Justice Roberts condemns threats to federal judges
Chief Justice John Roberts condemned threats to all U.S. judges during a speech in March, stating that while criticism of judicial opinions is understandable, personally directed hostility toward judges is dangerous and must stop.
Would-be assassin arrested near Justice Kavanaugh's home in 2022
In 2022, shortly after the leak of a draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, a would-be assassin was arrested near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The individual was found with weapons and zip ties.
Justice Barrett's home targeted in swatting incident
In May, a fake 911 call was made to police reporting gunshots and raised voices at Justice Amy Coney Barrett's home. The swatting call prompted police to surround her residence, though her security detail quickly determined it was a false report.
Justice Barrett's sister targeted in bomb threat in Charleston, South Carolina
In the year prior to the congressional hearing, Justice Amy Coney Barrett's sister was the victim of a bomb threat in Charleston, South Carolina. No bomb was found.
U.S. Marshals Service reports 564 threats against federal judges in fiscal year
The U.S. Marshals Service, responsible for protecting judges, reported 564 threats against federal judges in the government fiscal year ending in September, an increase from the previous year. The total includes threats to hundreds of federal judges across the country, though the nine-member Supreme Court has also faced threats.
Supreme Court Justices Barrett and Kagan testify before Congress on security funding
Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan appeared before a House appropriations panel to testify in support of the Supreme Court's budget request, which includes increased security spending. This marked the first time Supreme Court justices testified before Congress since 2019.
Supreme Court requests $228 million budget with $15 million for enhanced justice security
The Supreme Court requested a total of $228 million for the next fiscal year, approximately a 10% increase over the previous year. Nearly $15 million would go toward expanding personal protection for justices, including six additional security agents for each justice. Another $2 million would fund an off-site residential security post and increase Supreme Court police officers.
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Supreme Court Justices Push Congress for Enhanced Security Funding
Supreme Court justices testified to Congress seeking $15 million for enhanced judicial security amid ongoing threats.