Washington — On Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared before a House subcommittee to request additional funding to enhance security for the justices amid a surge in threats. Kagan warned that the "threats have come very close" to some members of the high court.

The Supreme Court is seeking more than $228 million from congressional appropriators for the upcoming fiscal year starting in October, marking an increase of over $20 million. Included in this request is an additional $14.6 million aimed at expanding security provided by the Supreme Court Police, which would enable assigning six more agents per justice, according to budget documents.

Currently, each justice is protected by between four and eight officers, Barrett said, with the number potentially increasing if a justice faces specific threats or attends more public events. Kagan noted that the Supreme Court Police anticipates a 38% increase in threats in 2026.

Data from the U.S. Marshals Service shows a 57% rise in "security incidents of significant concern" involving federal judges in fiscal year 2025, with a total of 564 threats reported last year.

Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the top Democrat on the panel, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "With a deeply divided country and increasingly violent rhetoric being directed at judges, Congress must provide sufficient funding to ensure the safety of all judicial personnel."

Kagan and Barrett are also scheduled to testify before a Senate panel later the same day, shortly after the Supreme Court concluded its latest term.

Despite the heightened threats, the chief justice has affirmed that all members of the court continue to adjudicate cases "without fear or favor," upholding their judicial duties.

Sources