Supreme Court justices urge Congress to boost security funding amid rising threats

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett told Congress Tuesday that threats targeting her and other justices have risen sharply, affecting their personal and family lives. During a rare hearing before appropriations panels, Barrett described taking a bulletproof vest home a few years ago and struggling to explain its purpose to her 12-year-old son.

Barrett and Justice Elena Kagan appeared to support a request for increased security funding for the court. They cited a rise in threats, including fake 911 calls and other intimidation tactics targeting judges nationwide. Kagan condemned inflammatory political rhetoric, calling it dangerous and unhelpful to judicial security.

The hearings followed a series of significant Supreme Court decisions, including rulings that limited President Donald Trump’s powers and rejected his tariffs. These decisions prompted harsh criticism and heightened tensions, with threats to judges increasing notably since the leak of a draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The court is requesting $228 million for the upcoming fiscal year, about 10% more than the current budget. Much of the increase, $14.6 million, aims to expand personal protection for justices, adding six more security agents per justice. An additional $2 million would fund an off-site residential security post and bolster police presence.

The U.S. Marshals Service reported 564 threats to judges in the last fiscal year, including threats to the Supreme Court itself. Barrett’s security detail responded quickly to a swatting incident involving her son, and her sister was targeted by a bomb threat last year. Threat levels surged after the leak of a draft opinion and have continued to grow, with Kagan noting a 38% increase this year.

Chief Justice John Roberts has condemned hostility towards judges, emphasizing that criticism is acceptable but personal threats are dangerous and must end, according to reports.

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