Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett requested increased security funding during a hearing on Capitol Hill, citing a rise in violent threats against federal judges and their families. Barrett, alongside Justice Elena Kagan, highlighted the court's request for $225 million in security funding, a 29 percent increase from the previous year, aimed at enhancing protection for justices at work and home, as well as addressing cyber threats. According to data from the US Marshals, threats against federal judiciary members are projected to rise by 38 percent in 2026, following a 25 percent increase in the previous year.
Barrett shared a personal experience regarding security measures, recounting how her protective detail had previously provided her with a bulletproof vest due to heightened threats. She described a moment with her son, who questioned the vest's presence in their home. Barrett noted that the threats have affected her family, stating, 'They have required me [and] my children to think about and see things that children should not have to see or think about.' Kagan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the personal impact of the threats on justices and their families.
The justices' call for increased security comes amidst a broader trend of rising threats against federal judges, including online harassment and doxxing. Chief Justice John Roberts has also voiced concerns about the dangers of personally directed hostility, calling for an end to such behavior.