Fact Check: Judges have faced threats and violence for their rulings.

Fact Check: Judges Have Faced Threats and Violence for Their Rulings

What We Know

Judges in the United States have increasingly faced threats and violence, particularly in recent years. According to data from the U.S. Marshals Service, there has been a significant rise in threats against federal judges. For instance, in the five months leading up to March 1, 2025, 80 judges received threats, and this number surged to 162 in the subsequent six weeks, totaling 277 threats in that fiscal year alone, which represents about a third of the federal judiciary (source-3).

The rise in threats has been linked to heightened political tensions, particularly following controversial rulings against the Trump administration. Many judges have expressed concerns about their safety and the potential for violence, urging political leaders to moderate their rhetoric (source-5). Notably, Judge Esther Salas, who has been an advocate for judicial safety since her son was tragically killed in a targeted attack, highlighted that the statistics reflect a serious and alarming trend (source-3).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that judges face threats and violence is robust and well-documented. The U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for the safety of federal judges, has provided internal data indicating a dramatic increase in threats since 2025. This data has been corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, which have reported on the surge in threats and the context surrounding these incidents (source-3, source-5).

The reliability of these sources is high; both The New York Times and The Washington Post are established news organizations with a history of investigative journalism. The data provided by the U.S. Marshals Service has not only been shared with the public but has also been analyzed by legal experts and lawmakers, further validating its credibility. Additionally, the context of political rhetoric, particularly from former President Trump, has been linked to the increase in threats, suggesting a correlation between public discourse and judicial safety (source-4).

However, it is important to note that threats against judges are not a new phenomenon and have been rising for years, indicating a broader issue of judicial safety that transcends any single political administration (source-5).

Conclusion

The claim that judges have faced threats and violence for their rulings is True. The evidence provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and corroborated by multiple reputable news sources indicates a significant increase in threats against judges, particularly in the context of politically charged cases. The alarming statistics and the testimonies of judges themselves underscore the seriousness of this issue, making it clear that judicial safety is a pressing concern in the current political climate.