Supreme Court Seeks Extra $12 Million From Congress to Counter Security Threats

The Supreme Court asks Congress for $12 million in funding to increase security at the courthouse and protect the nine justices.

The funding request comes months after a year-end report by Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the personal security of judges across the country needs to be a priority. Roberts, the United States’ chief justice, is responsible for the Supreme Court as well as the federal judiciary.

“The law requires every judge to swear an oath to perform his or her work without fear or favor, but we must support judges by ensuring their safety,” Roberts wrote the “2022 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary.”

“A judicial system cannot and should not live in fear,” He added to the list at that point.

In May 2022, security was enhanced around the Supreme Court justices and justices after a draft majority opinion in Roe v. Wade’s ruling was leaked. This led to protests at the court as well as at the residences of justices. The identity and whereabouts of the leaker have not been disclosed.

Left-wing protestors gathered outside the Maryland and Virginia homes of conservative justices. Supreme Court Marshal Gail Curley alleged that the then-Maryland governor was not doing enough to protect them. Larry Hogan, R) was accused of failing to do enough to protect justices by not enforcing anti-residential picketing laws in the state. U.S. officers were posted outside the homes of justices. The U.S. Marshals Service was posted outside the homes of justices. Some activists posted bounties on Twitter asking for information about the whereabouts justices in order to assemble flash mobs against them.

Authorities stopped an attempt to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his Maryland residence on June 8, 2022. Nicholas John Roske from California, who claimed he wanted Kavanaugh to vote against abortion rights and gun controls laws, entered not guilty pleas after a federal grand jury indicted.

Minutes after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, Mikeal Deshawn Archambault from Texas posted a threat to Twitter pledging to do the same. “kill everyone” The court.

The U.S. Marshals Service had already stated that it was concerned about the growing domestic extremism even before the leak. In February 2022, the U.S. Marshals Service stated that it was worried about domestic extremism because federal judges had been the subject of over 4,500 threats. Federal Judge Esther Salas’ son was murdered in New Jersey at their family residence in 2020.

Congress passed legislation last year to improve security at the court.

The Supreme Court Police Parity Act was signed by President Joe Biden on June 16, 2022. The Supreme Court, Curley’s office and members of their immediate families were granted greater protection by the measure.

In one the new budget documentsPDF) covering federal fiscal 2024, which begins Oct. 1, court administrators said, “On-going threat assessments show evolving risks that require continuous protection.”

The court demanded an additional $5.9 million “expand security activities conducted by Supreme Court Police to protect the Justices.”

Additional funding “would provide for contract positions, eventually transitioning to full-time employees, that will augment capabilities of the Supreme Court police force and allow it to accomplish its protective mission.”

Also, the court requested (PDF) $6.5 million for “physical security upgrades” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended that they be used. The money will be used to support the court. “building envelope.” To restore the courtyard surrounding the courthouse, another $3 million is required.

Congress approved $112 Million in supplemental funding last year. “harden” All across the country, there are courthouses.

The Epoch Times tried to reach the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office for comment, but was not able to get a response as of press time.