Judicial Security Risks Intensify, Prompting Calls for Structural Reforms to U.S. Marshals Service
Threats against judges at all levels in the U.S. are intensifying, leading to calls for structural reforms to judicial security, particularly concerning the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). According to a letter sent to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) by CREW President and Chief Executive Officer Donald Sherman and Judge Jeremy Fogel, judges are increasingly vulnerable to verbal and physical attacks. Supreme Court justices have also reported direct threats, with Justice Elena Kagan noting that 'threats have come very close' and Justice Amy Coney Barrett mentioning the need for a bulletproof vest. While Congress has increased funding for judicial security, concerns remain that the executive branch could interfere with the USMS's judicial security function, divert resources, or strip security from judges. The letter recommends legislative actions to implement stronger guardrails for USMS judicial security requirements, permit the Chief Justice to enter into agreements for additional security, ...
