U.S. President Donald Trump is in conflict with the judiciary over his push to deport illegal immigrants since taking office. The conservative chief justice has gone so far as to issue a critical statement, yet Trump mocks the judiciary by posting photos of judges in handcuffs being dragged away on his social media platform, Truth Social. Amid Trump's attacks on the judiciary, which threaten the separation of powers, instances of judges feeling threatened have been increasing.
According to The New York Times (NYT) on the 19th (local time), police were dispatched to the home of one of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's sisters on the 10th. This was due to a mail that was received indicating there was a bomb in the mailbox. The mail stated, "As soon as the mailbox opens, the bomb will explode." There was no bomb, contrary to the mail, but the NYT pointed out that this is "one example showing the threats and harassment judges and their families have been receiving in recent weeks."
Attempts to threaten judges are taking various forms. Bomb threats abound, and pizzas are delivered to judges' homes. This suggests that the addresses of judges are exposed to the public. A judge handling a lawsuit against the Trump administration expressed anonymously to the NYT, "They know where I and my family live," expressing concerns for their family's safety.
Additionally, there are cases of threats against judges who have ruled against policies of the Trump administration, such as the elimination of birthright citizenship and federal restructuring. Judge John C. Hinderaker, who issued the first ruling to block attempts to eliminate birthright citizenship, also received swatting threats. Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the Rhode Island federal court stated that after blocking the Trump administration's attempt to freeze $3 trillion in federal funds, numerous calls and emails flooded the court.
So far, threats and harassment against judges have not led to actual violence. However, as Trump, senior officials of the Trump administration, and supporters raise questions about the U.S. judicial system, threats against judges have been increasing.
The clash between Trump and the judiciary reached its peak on the 18th. Trump initiated deportations of illegal Venezuelan immigrants based on the so-called 'Alien Enemies Act' enacted in 1798, while Judge James Boasberg of the Washington, D.C. federal court ruled to temporarily halt the deportation orders. Despite the court's ruling, the Trump administration sent planes carrying illegal immigrants to El Salvador. Trump then targeted Judge Boasberg, posting on social media on the 18th that "we need to impeach the radical left lunatic judge." Trump continued, "It's not like he won in the elections overwhelmingly like I did; he was appointed by Barack Hussein Obama," implying that he, as an elected official, is superior to the judiciary.
Trump also stated, "I am doing what the voters want. We don't want an evil, violent, and insane criminal in America," asserting that he held the advantage in public opinion regarding the deportation of illegal Venezuelan immigrants. In response, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement expressing concern that "for over 200 years, impeaching judges has proven to be an inappropriate response to disagreements surrounding judicial decisions." Chief Justice Roberts was appointed by President George W. Bush and is classified as a conservative figure.
The NYT noted, "Judges being threatened is not a new issue," yet they expressed concern that "members of the judiciary testify that threats are gradually increasing in both online and real-life settings." According to the U.S. Marshals Service, which provides protective services for judges, hostile threats against judges have increased more than threefold over the past decade.