Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Federal Judge Reveals Death Threats After Blocking Trump Policy
Judges are people who make sure the laws are followed fairly and that everyone plays by the rules.
John McConnell is a very important judge in Rhode Island.
He made a decision against a plan by President Trump's government to stop giving out trillions of dollars in federal money.
Some people got very angry about his decision and started sending scary messages and threats.
He received many threatening phone calls, and even his family was threatened.
Getting angry about a decision is okay, but sending threats is never okay.
Other judges across the country are also getting scary threats, and the number has gone up a lot.
President Trump's office says his criticism of judges is just free speech, which is allowed in the United States.
Judge McConnell says judges are just doing their jobs and should not be treated this way.
He wants people to remember that judges help keep things fair, even when their decisions are not popular.
Chief US District Judge John McConnell said he faced credible death threats, harassment and intimidation after blocking parts of the Trump administration's federal funding freeze.
His daughter was doxxed after activist Laura Loomer posted her photo, amplified by Elon Musk, who then led the Department of Government Efficiency, and he faced two impeachment attempts and cancellation of his homeowner's insurance.
An unsolicited pizza delivery was made in the name of Daniel Anderl, the son of New Jersey Judge Esther Salas killed in a 2020 attack, with similar deliveries reported by federal judges in at least seven states.
His courthouse received about 400 threatening calls and emails, and the US Marshals Service deemed at least six threats credible, including one against his wife and dark web posts seeking his home address.
Security incidents involving federal judges rose 57% in fiscal year 2025, and the US Marshals Service recorded 564 threats against judges, up from 509 the previous year.
- Who
- Chief US District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island, who spoke with The Washington Post; other federal judges, including Esther Salas, also described rising hostility.
- What
- McConnell revealed he faced credible death threats, harassment and intimidation, including the doxxing of his daughter, after blocking parts of the Trump administration's federal funding freeze.
- When
- Threats intensified early last year after he blocked parts of the federal funding freeze and continued over the following 18 months.
- Where
- Rhode Island, with similar incidents reported by federal judges in at least seven states.
- Why
- Because of his rulings against Trump administration actions, particularly the federal funding freeze, which triggered online attacks and threats.
Judges and Judiciary Officials
Trump Administration and White House
Presidential criticism of judges
Judges and Judiciary Officials
Judge Salas and Judge McConnell say repeated public attacks on judges, including being called 'monsters,' 'lunatics' and part of a 'legal insurrection,' dehumanize judges and fuel threats against them.
Trump Administration and White House
The White House defends President Trump's criticism of judges as protected free speech and rejects suggestions that it encourages threats, saying the administration cares deeply for the safety of the Judicial Branch.
Public labeling of judges by agencies
Judges and Judiciary Officials
McConnell criticized DHS for publicly calling Judge Melissa DuBose an 'activist Biden judge' and for DHS General Counsel James Percival's 'Worst of the Worst' list, saying such language adds to security concerns.
Trump Administration and White House
The White House maintains that officials' criticism of judges is protected speech and insists that the administration does not want judges threatened.
- Judge
- John McConnell, Chief US District Judge for Rhode Island
- Credible threats
- At least 6, according to the US Marshals Service
- Threatening calls and emails
- More than 400 to his courthouse
- Impeachment attempts
- 2, by Republican lawmakers
- Security incidents involving judges (FY 2025)
- Up 57%
- Threats recorded by US Marshals (FY 2025)
- 564, up from 509
- States reporting similar pizza deliveries
- At least 7
- Marshals Service funding
- Additional funding sought; threats expected to keep rising