A surge in threats against U.S. federal judges has raised alarm following a wave of inflammatory social media posts from Elon Musk and allies of President Trump, targeting judges who have ruled against key administration initiatives. Musk has publicly called judges “corrupt” and “radical,” leading to heightened security alerts from the U.S. Marshals Service and reports of intimidation tactics, including anonymous threats and unwanted deliveries to judges’ homes.
Judges are reporting increased fear for their safety as cases tied to federal downsizing efforts and executive orders continue to be litigated. Some have been specifically named in viral posts demanding impeachment, including Judge Amir Ali, who has received violent threats after rulings on foreign aid. Legal experts and judicial associations warn that these personal and political attacks risk undermining judicial independence and the rule of law.
The American Bar Association and Federal Judges Association have denounced the threats, emphasizing the danger of incitement and the chilling effect on the judiciary. As one former judge stated, “We’re going to get a judge killed if we’re not careful.”
This unprecedented level of hostility toward the judiciary underscores growing concern over political rhetoric escalating into real-world violence.