Top U.S. federal judges have raised alarms over increasing threats and calls for impeachment against their colleagues. U.S. Circuit Judge Richard Sullivan, chair of the Judicial Conference’s security committee, emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding judges at work and home. He urged public officials to exercise caution in their statements, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could incite dangerous actions.
The concerns echo Chief Justice John Roberts’ year-end report, highlighting over 1,000 serious threats investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service in the past five years. Security has been heightened for judges handling cases tied to former President Donald Trump’s policies.
Recent Republican-led efforts to impeach three judges who blocked Trump’s initiatives have intensified the debate. Under the U.S. Constitution, impeachment requires treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Only 15 federal judges have ever been impeached, with just eight convictions, the last occurring in 2010. Despite Republican control of Congress, a two-thirds Senate majority is required for removal.
Elon Musk and other Trump allies have publicly criticized judges opposing White House policies, fueling concerns about judicial independence. Sullivan stressed that impeachment should not bypass the legal appeals process, while U.S. Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton warned that lowering impeachment standards could weaken all government branches.
As threats against judges surge, the judiciary remains focused on enhancing security while urging respect for the judicial process.