Garland Warns of ‘Disturbing Spike’ in Threats Against Officials

Attorney General Merrick Garland warned of a “deeply disturbing spike” in threats against public officials, including federal judges and members of Congress, even as homicide rates have dipped nationally.

Garland said in a speech Friday, focused on fighting violent crime, that in just the final few months of 2023, the Justice Department investigated and charged individuals for making violent threats against law enforcement agents, lawmakers and presidential candidates, and judges, including a Supreme Court justice.

Garland also said that several bomb threats had been raised against courthouses across the country this week alone, which federal and local law enforcement are ...