Police responded to a false report, known as a "swatting call," at the home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in Virginia on Wednesday evening. The Fairfax County Police Department confirmed that officers arrived at approximately 9:02 p.m. after receiving a call through the non-emergency line. Upon arrival, they coordinated with Barrett's security detail and determined that the report was fictitious, requiring no additional police resources.
This incident is part of a broader trend of threats against Supreme Court justices, particularly following the leaked Dobbs draft opinion in 2022, which indicated the court's intention to overturn Roe v. Wade. The police department noted that swatting involves making false reports to elicit a significant law enforcement response at the target's location.
A partial audio recording surfaced on social media, indicating that the call reported sounds of gunshots, and law enforcement described the situation as involving a "suspicious noise" at a residence with 24-hour security. Justice Barrett was present at the Supreme Court on Thursday morning, where she participated in reading summaries of opinions but did not address the incident.
Senator Mike Lee commented on the situation, stating that swatting poses a serious risk to individuals, including sitting justices, and emphasized the need for severe penalties for offenders. The report comes amid a noted increase in threats against conservative figures, including previous incidents involving Justice Brett Kavanaugh.