Supreme Court Faces Criticism Over Security Threats to Lower Court Judges
A recent incident involving a swatting attempt at Justice Amy Coney Barrett's residence has highlighted the increasing threats faced by federal judges across the United States. The swatting attempt, which involved a false report of gunshots, was quickly identified as fake by officers coordinating with Supreme Court Police. While Supreme Court justices have access to heightened security, lower court judges are not as fortunate, facing numerous threats without much public attention. In 2026 alone, there have been 241 threats against 202 judges, according to Balls and Strikes. The Roberts Court has been criticized for using the shadow docket to vacate district court orders without explanation, which some argue erodes public trust in the judiciary. This has led to increased hostility towards judges, with threats coming from various political ideologies. 
