Two House Judiciary Democrats Advocate for Increased Security Measures for Judges, Urging Chief Justice’s Action
The policymaking body of the federal judiciary has issued a warning that the court system is currently underfunded and faces vulnerabilities due to increasing threats directed at judges.
Two prominent House Judiciary Democrats have urged U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to seek additional assistance from Congress for the protection of federal judges and court staff, highlighting a concerning rise in threats and the persistent underfunding of the judicial security framework.
“We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the troubling increase in violent threats made against federal judges, many of which are far from idle,” they stated. “The prevailing atmosphere of anti-judicial violence and intimidation is unacceptable within our constitutional framework.”
“We have serious concerns regarding our capacity to adequately secure federal courthouses with the current level of resources,” they noted, labeling the situation as “unsustainable.”
The Court Security account for the Judiciary remains stagnant at $750 million, matching the fiscal year 2023 allocation, despite a request for $797 million in the December 2024 funding appeal, according to the letter. This funding deficiency has resulted in delays for security enhancements, which include systems designed to screen individuals entering the courts and to regulate access to sensitive areas.
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As mentioned in the letter from St. Eve and Conrad, 67 federal judges are now under enhanced online threat monitoring by the U.S. Marshals Service due to their involvement in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.
In recent years, around 50 individuals have faced charges for making criminal threats against judges. In numerous cases, marshals have resorted to “extraordinary measures” to ensure the safety of judges facing these threats.
The judges’ correspondence also emphasizes that courts do not choose their caseloads and are constitutionally mandated to resolve all civil, criminal, and bankruptcy matters presented before them, urging Congress to reinstate adequate funding in the upcoming fiscal year 2026 budget.
“We must guarantee constitutionally mandated representation for individuals charged with federal offenses who cannot afford legal counsel. Additionally, we must compensate citizens fulfilling their civic responsibility of serving on federal juries,” St. Eve and Conrad asserted. “This comprehensive mission relies on sufficient funding from Congress to be executed effectively.”
The federal judiciary budget request for 2026 is anticipated to be submitted later this month.
In their letter to the Chief Justice, Raskin and Johnson expressed their willingness to collaborate with the Supreme Court to tackle what they described as a funding crisis.
“We understand that our constitutional democracy heavily depends on the ability of Justices and judges to perform their duties without the fear of retaliation or harm,” the legislators wrote. “We are your partners in this effort, and we encourage you to call on us for assistance.”
