A federal judge who ruled against the Trump administration has described a rapid escalation in threats and intimidation directed at him and other judges, including a pizza order made in the name of a colleague’s dead son. U.S. District Judge John McConnell, the chief federal judge in Rhode Island, said he received a pizza delivery at his home bearing the name of Esther Salas’s son, who was killed in 2020 in a shooting by a disgruntled lawyer targeting Salas. McConnell contacted Salas to tell her, and both said they were shaken by the use of a family tragedy to send a message. McConnell said such deliveries were made to federal judges in at least seven states, but he was the first to inform Salas. He later described the episode as part of a shift in the environment facing federal jurists who issue rulings affecting the executive branch. Wider Backlash Against Federal RulingsMcConnell’s account reflects concerns raised by judges appointed by both Democrats and Republicans about rising pressure when they make high-profile decisions that find actions by the Trump administration unlawful. He said President Donald Trump and allies have repeatedly criticised individual federal judges as illegitimate or politically motivated, including through rhetoric that frames court decisions as a challenge to government authority. McConnell described the impact as moving beyond normal political disagreement, saying that what is unusual is the “personalisation” of judges’ work and the dehumanising tone of threats. McConnell, appointed by Barack Obama, has been on the bench for 15 years. For much of that time, he said he gave little thought to personal security. He recalled being told, early in his career, that he should inform U.S. marshals about his plans for an outdoor naturalisation ceremony, but said he had believed it was simply part of daily life. Death Threats Follow Funding RulingThat approach changed sharply in early 2024. McConnell said he began receiving credible death threats after a case assigned to him in late January, in which he challenged the administration’s freeze on trillions of dollars in federal funding. He issued a temporary restraining order and, ten days later, told the government it had to comply or face criminal contempt. That night, McConnell said he saw a post on X by Laura Loomer accusing him of abusing judicial power in the funding freeze case. He said Elon Musk, then running the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, amplified the post to a large audience. McConnell said the situation worsened once his daughter became a target, describing it as feeling emotionally devastating. He said threatening calls and emails started arriving at the courthouse in increasing volumes, eventually totalling about 400. He added that U.S. marshals identified at least six credible death threats, including one aimed at his wife. He also said one threat appeared on the dark web, where someone sought McConnell’s home address and suggested using a firearm to “pay him a visit”. McConnell said he would not detail changes to his daily routine, but described cooperation with the marshals as “exemplary”. He said he also faced further pressure beyond threats, including a MAGA-linked effort that doxed his daughter and later impeachment proceedings launched by two Republicans in Congress. He said an insurance company cancelled his homeowner’s policy, describing him as too risky due to the impeachment efforts. DHS Criticism And Security StatsMcConnell said other judges have also been targeted. He pointed to DHS actions that, he said, have increased personal risk. He cited an April news release that referred to U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose as an “activist Biden judge” after she released an immigrant from custody in the Dominican Republic, describing a “wanted for murder” warrant. McConnell said a later investigative report by a special counsel found that the information about the homicide warrant had not been provided to DuBose at the time and that it had been withheld by the U.S. attorney on instructions from Immigration and Customs Enforcement not to disclose it. The court, he said, argued the sequence raised questions about whether ICE “deliberately manipulated” information, warning that false statements by government officials can have real-world consequences. He also referenced a post by DHS general counsel James Percival on X listing federal judges, using language the agency employs to describe alleged criminals. McConnell said he contacted one judge named in the post to urge them to take security seriously. The judiciary has also warned Congress about security levels. The judiciary told lawmakers that in the 2025 fiscal year, security incidents classed as “significant concern” rose by 57% and were expected to increase further. The U.S. Marshals Service reported 564 threats to federal judges in 2025, up from 509 the year before, with the highest number recorded in 2023. The Marshals Service has asked for additional funding for its judicial security division, saying the threat environment was expected to intensify. Rulings Continue Despite PressureMcConnell said the fear that has lingered for him is what the threats mean for the future of the courts. He described intimidation directed at judges as undermining the constitutional role of courts. He said Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has warned against criticising judges as individuals rather than focusing on rulings, and said impeachment was not the appropriate response to disagreement with a judicial decision. McConnell said he found those remarks reassuring. McConnell’s own rulings have also drawn support. Last November, he issued a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In June, he said the administration’s freeze on immigration-related applications affecting citizens of 39 countries was unlawful, writing that the agency violated both the immigration laws Congress had set and administrative rules governing its actions. He said that same month a Republican lawmaker again sought his impeachment for placing the interests of non-citizens above national security. McConnell said he declined to pursue an offer of assistance from the administrative office of the judiciary and instead wanted to return to his work. Join the discussion? 6 August 2026
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