Members of the federal judiciary are increasingly concerned for their safety as they face heightened harassment and threats. Federal judges are contemplating the establishment of their own security detail to mitigate risks associated with potential withdrawal of U.S. marshals protection under the current administration.

Federal judges are particularly worried that President Trump may remove the U.S. marshals who protect them, especially if they issue rulings against his administration. Reports indicate that discussions regarding the formation of a dedicated security force took place at a recent Judicial Conference meeting, where judges voiced their concerns about rising threats following Trump's public attacks on the judiciary.

Democrats in Congress, including Sen. Cory Booker, have introduced a bill aimed at transferring control of the U.S. Marshals from the executive branch to the judicial branch. This legislation is designed to ensure that judicial security is insulated from political pressures. “President Trump has made it abundantly clear through his words and actions that he does not respect the law,” Booker stated. The bill would enable the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference to appoint a director for the U.S. Marshals, thereby enhancing judicial safety.

Reports of threats against judges and their families have surged, with at least 11 federal judges' families experiencing violence or harassment following unfavorable rulings against the Trump administration. For instance, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has received multiple death threats, and a SWAT team was dispatched to the home of Judge John Coughenour after he overturned a Trump executive order.

Recent data reveals a significant uptick in threats against judges, with the number of judges receiving threats more than doubling between 2019 and 2024. Chief Justice John Roberts highlighted this alarming trend in his 2024 year-end report. Threats against judges have become increasingly common since the 2020 presidential election, with intimidation and harassment prevalent.

Democrats Seek to Insulate Security for Judges from Executive Branch Politics

In response to escalating threats, Congressional Democrats are proposing a bill that would shift the control of the U.S. Marshals Service from the executive branch to the federal judiciary. This legislative effort aims to protect judicial security from political interference.

Image courtesy of NPR

The proposed legislation, known as the Maintaining Authority and Restoring Security to Halt the Abuse of Law Act, seeks to create a special board, including the Chief Justice of the United States and the Judicial Conference, to oversee the U.S. Marshals. This structure is modeled after the U.S. Capitol Police. Rep. Eric Swalwell articulated the need for this change, stating, “Today, independent judges must rely on the executive branch... for personal security.”

The bill follows a disturbing incident in which the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas was tragically killed by a litigant. Such incidents underscore the real dangers judges face and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.

Lawmakers have also noted that judges and their families have received unsolicited pizza deliveries across multiple states, a tactic perceived as an intimidation effort. The deliveries have even been made in the name of Salas's deceased son, indicating a disturbing level of harassment.

Sen. Booker emphasized the historical role of the U.S. Marshals in protecting judges, stating, “But their dual accountability to the executive branch and the judicial branch paves the way toward a constitutional crisis.”

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