WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are set to address Congress on Tuesday, marking a rare occasion as the court seeks additional security funding amidst escalating threats to the judiciary.
The justices will appear before a House appropriations panel to discuss the need for increased security measures, following a rise in threats and incidents like a false swatting call to police about Justice Barrett’s residence in May. This meeting comes shortly after the Supreme Court’s conservative majority issued several significant decisions affecting federal regulatory agency powers and tariffs, which have drawn severe criticism.
Focus on Enhanced Security Measures
The Supreme Court is requesting a budget of $228 million for the upcoming fiscal year, a 10% increase from the previous year. This includes nearly $15 million dedicated to enhancing personal protection for the justices, proposing the addition of six more agents for each justice.
An additional $2 million is aimed at establishing an off-site residential security post to facilitate faster emergency responses and expanding the Supreme Court police force. The U.S. Marshals Service recorded 564 threats against judges in the fiscal year ending September, reflecting an increase from prior years, with the Supreme Court justices also being targeted.
In May, a swatting incident involving Justice Barrett’s home was swiftly handled by her security team and local police. Last year, Barrett’s sister faced a bomb threat in Charleston, South Carolina, which turned out to be a false alarm. Furthermore, in 2022, after a draft opinion on overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, an individual was apprehended near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home, armed with weapons and zip ties.
Chief Justice John Roberts has publicly denounced these threats, emphasizing in a March speech that while it’s acceptable to critique judicial opinions, personal hostility is “dangerous, and it’s got to stop.”
