Judicial Conference of the U.S. – Inadequate Funding for Security

On April 10, 2025, the Judicial Conference of the United States sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate concerning the impacts of funding decisions.

The letter states: “As the FY 2026 appropriations cycle gets underway, we ask that the Appropriations Committees take into account the constitutional and statutory role of the Judicial Branch. We do not set our own workload.”

The Judicial Conference wrote:

As Chief Justice Roberts noted in his 2024 year-end report, there has been a significant rise in threats to the courts, including direct threats against individual judges. Some of these threats have necessitated additional security measures by the U.S. Marshals Service, and approximately 50 individuals have been criminally charged in connection with threats. Currently, 67 judges are receiving enhanced online security screening services provided by the Administrative Office and U.S. Marshals Service due to the judges’ involvement in high-profile cases or rulings that have garnered attention in the media and on social media platforms. In extreme cases, the U.S. Marshals Service has been required to take extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of judges. [Emphasis added].

Alarmingly, the Judicial Conference stated that:

• “This [funding] is $391 million below the $9.02 billion requested in the Judicial Conference’s December 2024 funding appeal letter to the Appropriations Committees for consideration during conference discussions on a final FY 2025 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill.”
• “We have significant concerns about our ability to properly secure federal courthouses given current resource levels. Our Court Security program was already frozen in FY 2024 at the FY 2023 funding level of $750 million, forcing us to reprioritize security spending and delay essential security upgrades. A second consecutive year at this funding level will result in further reductions to courthouse security, particularly in systems and equipment that control access to restricted areas, monitor courthouse activities, and screen individuals and items entering the facility.” [Emphasis added].

The need to properly fund judicial security could not be greater.  “Pizzas Sent to Judges’ Homes in Name of Judge’s Murdered Son” (Apr. 17, 2025).

A parallel issue has arisen in Maryland.  Maryland Passes “Watered-Down Judicial Security Bill” (Apr. 12, 2025).

Protecting the Judiciary should be a top priority.  Protecting the Judiciary – Bolch Judicial Institute (Mar. 23, 2025).

That includes adequate operational funding for security.