Threats Against US Judges Prompt Request for More Security Funds

The federal judiciary is seeking an additional $40 million for court security amid an increase in threats to federal judges, according to its annual budget proposal to Congress.

The requested $805.9 million for court security for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 is “necessary to address the significant increase in threats against federal judges,” the judiciary’s administrative arm said.

Courts also are seeking a separate increase of $19.4 million for Supreme Court salaries and expenses, as the court’s police expand their “protective activities for justices.”

Judicial security has been a priority as courts report a significant increase in threats toward judges. Security for judges is typically handled by the US Marshals Service, which is funded by the Justice Department.

Security funds would go toward equipment for courthouses and other facilities, which are managed by the marshals and the Homeland Security Department’s Security’s Federal Protective Service, as well as a program meant to protect judges and courts from threats through education and awareness programs.

The budget would also fund the removal of personally identifiable information of judges from the internet, permitted through a 2022 law passed after the fatal shooting of US District Judge Esther Salas’s son at their New Jersey home.

Threats to Supreme Court justices are also highlighted within the budget request by the Administrative Office of the US Courts. Protests over the conservative majority’s vote in June 2022 to overturn the national constitutional right to abortion sparked calls to safeguard the justices and bipartisan legislation to protect their families.

An armed California man was also arrested outside the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh shortly before the abortion decision but after a draft opinion was leaked. He was indicted for attempting to assassinate the justice.

The federal courts say they are looking for an additional $5.8 million and 33 full-time employees to expand Supreme Court Police “security activities to protect the justices.”

“Ongoing threat assessments indicate that there are evolving risks that require continuous protection,” the request reads, echoing language included in last year’s budget proposal.

The judiciary is also asking for $13.6 million to allow Supreme Court Police to take over residential security for the justices from the marshals and assign officers to their homes.