Politicians’ Reckless Rhetoric Is Putting Federal Judges in Danger

A recent report reveals that political rhetoric during the second Trump administration has made federal judges feel increasingly unsafe. Thirty-five sitting and retired judges, many requesting anonymity, shared their experiences with threats and harassment. One judge built a safe room at home due to a daily 24/7 security detail, while another stopped grocery shopping and couldn't attend their grandchild's recital.

Threats have skyrocketed, with the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University citing a surge in harassment and a 57% increase in security incidents under Trump's administration. One jurist received over 700 threatening phone calls and another faced anonymous pizza deliveries with threatening notes. Some judges even had their house floor plans posted online, leading to SWAT teams arriving at their homes.

The report found that threats to federal judges' safety have always existed, but their scope, frequency, and intensity have sharply increased over the past decade. In 2025, the annual average number of threats and hostile communications rose to unprecedented levels. Judges attribute the heightened danger to verbal attacks from President Trump and his allies on their decisions.

Some have even faced "pizza-doxxing" and "swatting." Many worry for their families, with some restricting their children's online activities and altering their routes to avoid threats. Despite the growing safety concerns, some judges feel pressured to continue serving, fearing the impact on judicial independence.