In rare testimony before the House and Senate appropriations committees, Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett told lawmakers Tuesday that they need millions more in funding for security in an environment shaped by rising threats against the high court and members of the justice system.
The Supreme Court is seeking $228 million for operations in fiscal year 2027, about $20 million more than in 2026. That request includes $14.6 million for expanded security provided by the Supreme Court Police. Currently, each justice is assigned between four and eight officers for protection, and the added funding would allow up to six more officers per justice.
Noting that “threats have come very close” to the justices in recent years, Kagan said the additional funding would be almost entirely for security. In addition to more security officers, court officials want to build a facility to screen visitors and to hire engineers to bolster cyber defenses.
Barrett told lawmakers the threats to her safety have prompted security officials to give her a bulletproof vest, an item of clothing she has struggled to explain to her 12-year-old son.
The court police expect the volume of threats to rise 38% in the current year, on the heels of a 57% increase in 2025. According to data cited by CBS News, there have been 370 threats to judges this year, with the Marshals Service conducting 512 investigations.
Lawmakers seemed receptive to the justices’ message. Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer said “the very real threats by our judiciary are in our minds,” adding, “Congress must provide sufficient funding to ensure the safety of all judicial personnel.”