Federal judges describe violent threats amid 'dehumanizing attacks' from political leaders
Hundreds of federal judges have received threats against themselves and their families this year, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. It comes amid a litany of verbal and written attacks by President Trump and his administration on judges who have ruled against them. Justice correspondent Ali Rogin spoke with Judge John McConnell, who has received multiple threats, and Judge Esther Salas.
Federal judges across the United States have reported receiving numerous threats and experiencing a rise in violent rhetoric from political leaders, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. The incidents have escalated significantly this year, with security incidents increasing by nearly 60 percent in the 2025 fiscal year and showing no signs of abating.
Judge John McConnell, a U.S. District Court judge, received an unsolicited pizza delivery with the name of his son's killer, Daniel Anderl, on it. This delivery was one of multiple death threats he has received, which have intensified since he blocked the Trump administration's funding freeze. Judge McConnell expressed his shock and outrage at the escalating threats, describing them as a descent into a state of affairs where judges are being dehumanized and targeted.
Judge Esther Salas, another federal judge, shared her own experiences with threats and the impact of the administration's verbal attacks on judges. She emphasized the sadness and anger she felt upon learning that her late son's name had been weaponized to instill fear in judges throughout the country. Salas called for an end to the dehumanizing rhetoric and personal attacks, urging a return to a more civilized discourse where judges can maintain their constitutional independence.
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