Congress must prioritize judicial security

Congress must prioritize judicial security and discourage hostile rhetoric against judges by elected and appointed government officials, according to testimony submitted by CREW for the Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s hearing on judicial impeachment.

The judiciary’s ability to ensure compliance with its decisions rests almost entirely on public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system. Though aggrieved parties have the option to challenge a judge’s ruling through an established appeals process, some have chosen to target the presiding judge with personal and political attacks. In fiscal year 2025, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) identified 564 threats against 396 judges, continuing what USMS previously described as a “‘new normal’ of highly volatile behavior.” 

This current climate of hostility not only implicates the safety of judges but also undermines the independence of the judiciary. Congress should act accordingly to enhance the protection of judges, prevent violence and promote healthy civil discourse about issues affecting the court.