Amid escalating risks and evolving challenges, the U.S. Supreme Court has tabled a request for a hefty $19.4 million from federal coffers. This substantial sum aims to fortify security measures for the esteemed justices and to delegate the safeguarding of their residences to the court’s own police force rather than relying on the U.S. Marshals Service.
Outlined within the ambit of a $9.4 billion budget proposal, the Supreme Court’s requisition underscores a pressing need for enhanced protection. A notable portion, $5.8 million, is earmarked for bolstering the operational capacities of the Supreme Court Police, an in-house security entity. Additionally, a significant $13.6 million is designated to facilitate the transition of protecting the justices’ abodes from the Marshals Service to the court’s police unit.
This move towards heightened security elucidates the court’s intent to escalate discretionary spending by approximately 21% to a formidable $146.3 million in the upcoming fiscal year of 2025, as delineated in the budget dossier.
“Ongoing threat assessments indicate that there are evolving risks that require continuous protection,” asserts the budget proposal, acknowledging the dynamic landscape of security challenges confronting the apex judicial body.
The judiciary as a whole seeks a considerable $805.9 million for fortifying court security, citing a marked surge in threats targeting federal judges. Data from the U.S. Marshals Service underscores this disconcerting trend, revealing a stark escalation in serious threats against federal judges, with figures soaring from 224 in fiscal 2021 to 457 in fiscal year 2023.
Notably, a recent Reuters investigation unveiled a troubling surge in threats and intimidation directed at judges, particularly those who have ruled against the interests of former President Donald Trump. Against this backdrop, the judiciary’s preemptive release of its 2025 budget request underscores a proactive stance, even as Congress grapples with finalizing funding for the ongoing fiscal year.
Recent legislative endeavors have sought to extend police protection to the families of justices and senior officers of the court in light of security concerns precipitated by high-profile judicial rulings. The leaking of a draft overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, coupled with subsequent protests outside the residences of conservative-leaning justices, serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by those in the judicial echelons.
Instances of attempted violence further underscore the gravity of the situation. In a chilling incident, a California resident was charged with attempting to assassinate conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, while another individual from Florida pleaded guilty to threatening Chief Justice John Roberts.
Amid this climate of heightened security imperatives, the Supreme Court’s plea for augmented funding stands as a poignant testament to the imperative of safeguarding the sanctity of the judicial process in an increasingly fraught landscape.
