At a Thursday event hosted by Speak Up for Justice, several federal judges revealed a wave of harassment and threats they’ve endured in response to rulings against former President Donald Trump’s initiatives. The virtual meeting highlighted a stark divide in the political reaction to judicial independence.
Judge McConnell Describes Death Threats and Online Doxxing
U.S. District Judge John McConnell, who ruled against Trump’s aid freeze, shared the intense backlash he’s faced. His court received hundreds of threatening voicemails, some calling for his assassination. McConnell disclosed six credible death threats, including one from an individual searching for his address on the dark web, reportedly “so Smith & Wesson could pay him a visit.” He described the experience as deeply disillusioning, saying it shook his faith in the legal system.
Pizza “Messages” and the Use of a Murdered Judge’s Son’s Name
Judges also reported a disturbing tactic used to send threats: ordering pizzas to their homes. These deliveries, meant to show the judges had been doxxed, were sometimes placed under the name of Daniel Anderl, the murdered son of District Judge Esther Salas. Salas described the emotional toll of seeing her late son’s name exploited to intimidate her colleagues, calling it a perversion of his memory.
Threats Escalate to Swatting and Bomb Hoaxes
Judge John Coughenour, who blocked Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship, said he was a victim of a swatting attempt. Police arrived at his home, responding to a false report that he had killed his wife. Shortly afterward, the FBI alerted his family to a bomb threat that turned out to be untrue. The judge questioned the motives and humanity of the people behind such actions.
Judges Urge Political Leaders to Denounce Attacks
District Judge Robert Lasnik emphasized that past presidents enforced judicial rulings despite opposition, contrasting this with today’s political climate. Judge Salas called for leaders to stop using inflammatory language against the judiciary, warning that such rhetoric encourages violence. Judges expressed hope that the current administration would publicly support judicial independence.
Source:
Judges Detail Horrors They’ve Experienced Since Ruling Against Trump
Photo by Joshua Woods on Unsplash
About Post Author
