WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) – Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett told Congress on Tuesday the threat level against federal judges is “really high,” breaking a historic silence alongside Justice Elena Kagan to demand $230 million in emergency security funding.
Barrett, appointed by former President Donald Trump, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. “The threat level is really high,” she said, describing current measures as inadequate. Kagan, a liberal appointee, echoed the alarm, urging bipartisan support to protect the judiciary from a surge in violent threats.
Their rare appearance marks a stark departure from tradition. Justices typically avoid direct lobbying of lawmakers. The trigger: a 400% increase in threats against federal judges since 2020, per U.S. Marshals Service data.
The security budget request covers enhanced physical protection, digital surveillance, and expanded details for all nine justices. Barrett, a mother of seven, revealed the personal toll. “I cannot do my job if I fear for my family’s safety,” she said.
Kagan added a pragmatic call: “We cannot do our jobs if we are afraid to leave our homes.” The testimony comes after recent doxxing incidents, armed protests outside courthouses, and the 2022 arrest of a man plotting to assassinate Justice Kavanaugh.
Political reaction was mixed. Senate Democrats fully backed the funding. Some Republicans questioned the price tag, with Fox News reporting concerns about “judicial overreach.” CNN framed the hearing as a demand for more funding amid a broader crisis of confidence in federal institutions.
Legal scholars warn the constant fear could chill judicial decision-making on controversial cases like abortion and gun rights. Barrett’s emotional moment underscored the human cost: protecting her family, including her children, from targeted online harassment.
The Judicial Security Improvement Act, pending in Congress, would expand threat monitoring and create a dedicated protective service. Practical steps include anonymous courtrooms, sealed filings, and secure remote hearings for high-risk cases.
Barrett and Kagan’s testimony could set a precedent for future justices to engage more directly with Congress on critical safety issues. As Barrett put it: “Without swift action, the pillars of justice may crack under pressure.”
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why did Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan break their silence before Congress?
- A: They testified due to a ‘really high’ threat level against federal judges, citing a 400% increase in threats since 2020 and demanding $230 million in emergency security funding to protect themselves and their families.
- Q: What specific security measures does the $230 million request cover?
- A: The budget request covers enhanced physical protection, digital surveillance, and expanded security details for all nine Supreme Court justices, following incidents like doxxing, armed protests, and a 2022 assassination plot against Justice Kavanaugh.
- Q: What was the political reaction to Barrett and Kagan’s testimony?
- A: Senate Democrats fully backed the funding, while some Republicans questioned the price tag and expressed concerns about ‘judicial overreach,’ according to Fox News.
Extended Reading
Sources: CNBC report on Barrett’s budget testimony; Fox News live updates on the $230 million security request; CNN analysis of the bipartisan appeal by Kagan and Barrett. Data on threat increases from the U.S. Marshals Service.