Recent data from the US Marshals Service, disclosed to Bloomberg Law, indicates a significant increase in threats against federal judges coinciding with renewed criticisms from former President Donald Trump. Almost 300 federal judges have been subjected to threats in the current fiscal year, which began in October 2024. The 373 recorded threats within this period are substantial, nearly matching the number from a full year only four years prior.
This trend of rising threats follows Trump’s recurring public statements against judges, whom he recently referred to as “monsters.” His rhetoric, alongside that of certain conservative allies, seems to correlate with the uptick in threats. Such rhetoric raises concerns about the potential for violence, reminiscent of the tragic incident involving U.S. District Judge Esther Salas. In July 2020, Judge Salas’s son, Daniel Anderl, was fatally shot, and her husband, Mark Anderl, was injured by an assailant impersonating a delivery person at their home.
The increase in threats against the judiciary is drawing attention from legal professionals, illustrating the direct impact of political discourse on the safety of public officials. The US Marshals Service, the entity tasked with ensuring the protection of judges, is vigilant as the numbers highlight ongoing risks to judicial security. These developments underscore the complex interplay between public criticism and the operational environment for federal judges.