Federal judges in the United States have faced a significant increase in threats over the past year, with the U.S. Marshals Service reporting 513 threats against 364 judges from October 2024 through early September 2025. This figure surpasses the total number of threats recorded in the previous fiscal year, which stood at 509 threats against 379 judges. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/federal-judges-got-over-500-threats-since-october-marshals-say?utm_source=openai))
The rise in threats has been particularly pronounced in recent years. In fiscal year 2023, the Marshals Service investigated 457 threats against federal judges, a substantial increase from 224 in 2021. Threats to prosecutors have also more than doubled during that time frame. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/threats-federal-judges-us-marshals-alarming-a6a5398d6d09cf057eb5317592c8d299?utm_source=openai))
The nature of these threats has evolved, with judges and court officials increasingly targeted on social media platforms. There has also been a troubling increase in “swatting” incidents—false emergency calls intended to provoke a police response at a judge’s residence. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/threats-federal-judges-us-marshals-alarming-a6a5398d6d09cf057eb5317592c8d299?utm_source=openai))
High-profile cases have further underscored the risks faced by members of the judiciary. In September 2025, Robert Phillip Ivers, previously convicted for threatening a federal judge, was arrested for distributing a 236-page manifesto titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” The manifesto included extreme threats toward judges, politicians, and others, and was linked to Ivers’ claims of being wrongly indicted. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/author-how-kill-federal-judge-manifesto-arrested-us-prosecutors-say-2025-09-09/?utm_source=openai))
In response to the escalating threats, the U.S. Marshals Service has requested $38 million from Congress to establish new judicial security programs. This includes $28.1 million to create an Office of Protective Services aimed at enhancing security for over 2,700 judges, including Supreme Court justices. An additional $10 million is sought for a grant program to help local governments prevent the disclosure of judges’ personal information, as authorized by the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-marshals-service-seeks-38-million-new-judge-security-programs-2024-03-12/?utm_source=openai))
The increasing threats have prompted calls for greater protection of judicial independence. Chief Justice John Roberts has expressed concern over the growing number of threats and online intimidation directed at judges, emphasizing that such actions could jeopardize judicial independence, which is crucial for the rule of law. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-supreme-courts-roberts-warns-dangerous-calls-disregard-court-rulings-2024-12-31/?utm_source=openai))
The surge in threats against federal judges highlights the need for enhanced security measures and underscores the importance of safeguarding the judiciary to maintain the integrity of the legal system.