The bedrock of the American legal system, its federal judges, are increasingly confronting an alarming surge in threats and aggressive harassment, painting a daunting picture for judicial security and the rule of law. Recent disclosures by a trio of U.S. federal judges illuminate the severe personal and professional toll of these actions, which range from explicit death threats to insidious “pizza-doxxing” and terrifying “swatting” incidents, profoundly challenging their judicial independence.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell, the chief judge in Rhode Island, has publicly recounted receiving over 400 threatening voice messages and six credible death threats, vividly describing one caller’s intent to discover his home address for a violent visit. He also played a chilling voicemail during a forum where a man explicitly threatened him, referencing Donald J. Trump, and wishing for his assassination. These court threats are not isolated incidents but reflect a disturbing trend impacting federal judges nationwide.
Perhaps the most emotionally devastating form of harassment, “pizza-doxxing,” involves unwanted food deliveries sent to judges’ homes in the name of Daniel Anderl, the late son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, who was tragically killed in a targeted attack. Judge Robert Lasnik, presiding in Seattle, disclosed that over 50 federal judges, along with their families, have been subjected to this unsettling tactic, highlighting a significant breach of judicial security and personal privacy.
Further escalating the nature of these attacks, Judge John Coughenour, also based in Seattle, revealed he and his wife were victims of “swatting,” a dangerous prank where false emergency calls provoke armed police responses to a target’s home. Recalling the terrifying moment law enforcement arrived with weapons drawn, Judge Coughenour emphasized the extreme lengths to which assailants are willing to go to intimidate federal judges and disrupt their lives.
These persistent and escalating acts of political harassment are doing immense damage to the reputation and perceived independence of the U.S. judiciary. Judge Coughenour, a veteran jurist appointed by President Ronald Reagan, expressed his dismay at how “political actors” seem to believe they can gain advantage by undermining the judiciary’s autonomy, directly challenging the fundamental principle of the rule of law.
Beyond personal threats, judges are also facing professional retribution. Judge McConnell confirmed he was the target of judicial misconduct complaints filed by America First Legal, a conservative organization previously led by Stephen Miller, and two members of Congress. These complaints often arise after judges issue rulings against policies of the former Trump administration, indicating a concerted effort to exert political pressure on federal judges.
The U.S. Marshals Service reports a significant increase in threats against federal judges over the last six years, underscoring the critical need for enhanced judicial security measures. In response, a vulnerability management program established after the tragic death of Judge Salas’s son has provided crucial protective services to thousands of judges, retired judges, and their family members, reflecting the judiciary’s proactive stance against court threats.
The impact of this pervasive harassment extends to even the highest levels, as exemplified by Colorado Chief Justice Monica Marquez. She has lost count of the unsolicited pizzas received and endured immense stress, including vomiting, before casting a deciding vote in a landmark case regarding Donald Trump’s eligibility for the ballot. Her experience highlights the profound personal toll and the immense pressure federal judges face when upholding the rule of law in politically charged environments.
