On Thursday, July 31, 2025, CBS News reported that a group of federal judges publicly addressed a surge in threats and harassment they have faced in recent months, linked to their rulings against policies of the Trump administration or their public defense of the judiciary. The judges, speaking at an event hosted by Speak Up for Justice, detailed incidents ranging from death threats to a disturbing trend known as “pizza doxxing.”

U.S. District Judge John McConnell, chief judge in Rhode Island, revealed he has received six credible death threats. One threatening voicemail, played during the forum, included a caller wishing for his assassination and threatening imprisonment.

McConnell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, noted his court has received over 400 threatening messages. He also described a disturbing incident where a pizza was delivered to his home in the name of Daniel Anderl, the late son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, who was killed in 2020 by a gunman targeting Salas at their New Jersey home.

The phenomenon of “pizza doxxing,” where unsolicited pizza deliveries are sent to judges’ homes, often under Anderl’s name, has affected over 50 federal judges nationwide, according to U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik of Seattle. Lasnik, who received similar deliveries after speaking out about attacks on the judiciary, said the U.S. Marshals Service is investigating but faces challenges in tracing the origins of these deliveries.

Judge Esther Salas, speaking on the fifth anniversary of her son’s death in July 2020, highlighted the increasing violent rhetoric directed at judges. She noted that inflammatory statements from political leaders, including White House spokespeople, have labeled judges as “crazy” or “unconstitutional,” potentially fueling public hostility. Salas urged political figures to refrain from personal attacks and inflammatory language that could incite harm.

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, also from Seattle and appointed by President Ronald Reagan, recounted being “swatted,” a scheme involving false emergency calls to prompt police response. Coughenour described an incident where law enforcement received a call claiming he had murdered his wife, followed by a false bomb threat at his home. He expressed dismay at the reputational damage to the judiciary caused by political attacks, calling on lawyers and fellow judges to defend judicial independence.

The judges noted professional repercussions as well. McConnell faced judicial misconduct complaints from American First Legal, a conservative group led by Stephen Miller, now White House deputy chief of staff, and two members of Congress. Both McConnell and Coughenour are overseeing cases challenging Trump administration policies, including a February 2025 injunction by Coughenour against ending birthright citizenship and a March 2025 ruling by McConnell blocking a freeze on federal funding. The Justice Department has appealed both decisions.

The U.S. Marshals Service reported a steady rise in threats against federal judges over the past six years. A judicial security program, established after Salas’ son’s death, has supported over 1,700 judges and their families.

State judges, including Colorado Chief Justice Monica Marquez and two Florida judges, have also been targeted with pizza doxxing, with one Florida case leading to charges against a 49-year-old man for fraudulent use of personal information.

 

 

Source: CBS News