On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Reuters reported that a group of federal judges publicly condemned the escalating threats directed towards them and their colleagues. These threats encompass hateful messages specifically targeting a judge who ruled against aspects of President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies.
During a virtual event, five judges, appointed by both Democratic and Republican administrations, shared their experiences of receiving disturbing emails wishing them dead, as well as unsolicited pizza deliveries to their residences, which they interpreted as intimidation tactics.
Miami-based U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom stated, “Staying quiet is no longer an option,” echoing sentiments expressed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who recently spoke out against the hostility aimed at judges in personal terms, saying it “is dangerous and it’s got to stop.”
The judges aligned with Roberts’ concerns during an event organized by Speak Up for Justice, an advocacy group for an independent judiciary. They indicated feeling more empowered to speak out following a recent judicial ethics opinion that advised they could defend colleagues against “illegitimate” attacks and criticism.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes detailed how she became the target of numerous “threatening and problematic” voicemails and emails after she blocked the Trump administration in February from terminating legal protections for over 350,000 Haitian migrants. One email, as recounted by Reyes, stated, “I hope you lose your life by lunchtime, you worthless whore.” Reyes, a Democratic appointee, also faced attacks related to her sexual orientation and national origin, with some individuals telling the Uruguayan-born judge to “go back to your country.”
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, such threats are on the rise. In the 2025 fiscal year, which concluded on September 30, 564 threats were recorded against 396 judges. This year, 241 threats have already been tracked against 202 judges. U.S. District Judge Mark Norris, a Trump appointee, emphasized that “the threats are real and they continue.”
Source: Reuters
