Supreme Court Justices to Testify Before Congress as Court Seeks Expanded Security Funding

Two U.S. Supreme Court justices are set to make a rare appearance before Congress on Tuesday as the nation's highest court requests additional funding to strengthen security amid a growing number of threats targeting federal judges.

Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett will testify before a House Appropriations Committee panel, marking the first congressional testimony by sitting Supreme Court justices since 2019. The hearing is expected to focus on the court's budget request, particularly its plans to expand protection for the justices and court personnel.

Supreme Court Requests $228 Million Budget

The Supreme Court has requested $228 million for the upcoming fiscal year, representing roughly a 10% increase from the previous year.

A significant portion of that proposal is dedicated to security improvements. The court is seeking nearly $15 million to expand personal protection details by adding six additional security agents for each justice.

The budget also includes about $2 million to establish an off-site residential security post and increase staffing within the Supreme Court Police to improve emergency response capabilities.

Rising Threats Drive Security Push

The funding request comes as threats against members of the federal judiciary continue to climb.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, which oversees judicial security, 564 threats against federal judges were recorded during the most recent fiscal year, an increase from the previous year.

Although those incidents involve judges across the federal court system, Supreme Court justices have also faced multiple security concerns in recent years.

Barrett Among Justices Targeted by Threats

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has been the target of several recent security incidents.

In May, authorities responded to a false emergency call—commonly known as a swatting incident—at Barrett's home. Investigators later determined the report was fabricated.

Last year, Barrett's sister was also the subject of a bomb threat at her residence in Charleston, South Carolina, though authorities found no explosive device.

The most serious incident involving a Supreme Court justice occurred in 2022, when a man carrying weapons and zip ties was arrested outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home after the leak of the draft opinion that ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade.

Hearing Follows Landmark Supreme Court Term

The appearance comes just weeks after the Supreme Court concluded one of its most closely watched terms in recent years.

Among its major decisions, the court issued a ruling that expanded President Donald Trump's authority over federal regulatory agencies while also rejecting his broad tariff policy, decisions that generated significant political debate and public criticism.

Despite the high-profile nature of those rulings, lawmakers are expected to focus primarily on the court's budget and security needs during Tuesday's hearing.

Chief Justice Roberts Has Warned About Judicial Safety

Chief Justice John Roberts has repeatedly expressed concern about escalating hostility toward judges.

Speaking earlier this year, Roberts said public disagreement with judicial decisions is part of the democratic process but warned that personal threats and intimidation directed at judges present a serious danger to the independence of the judiciary.

Tuesday's hearing will provide lawmakers with an opportunity to examine the court's security needs as officials seek additional resources to address the growing risks facing federal judges nationwide.