On March 11, approximately 50 federal judges convened in Washington for the Judicial Conference’s biannual meeting, which oversees the administration of the federal courts. This marked the first assembly since President Trump returned to office.
While the agenda included discussions on staffing and strategic planning, a significant portion of the conversation centered on the growing threats against judges and concerns about their personal security, according to multiple attendees.
During a confidential session, Judge Richard J. Sullivan, who leads the conference’s Committee on Judicial Security, introduced a troubling possibility that until recently might have seemed far-fetched: the White House potentially rescinding the security protections it currently provides to federal judges. This was revealed by officials familiar with the discussion who requested anonymity to speak about internal matters.
The U.S. Marshals Service, legally charged with safeguarding the judiciary, operates under the Department of Justice—a department now under unprecedented direct control by the president.
Judge Sullivan highlighted that President Trump had previously revoked security details from former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton. This raised the question of whether federal judges, who have recently been targeted by the president’s criticism, might face similar actions.
Judge Sullivan, initially appointed by President George W. Bush and later promoted to an appellate court by President Trump, declined to comment on the private remarks, referring inquiries to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. The office reaffirmed its full confidence in those responsible for judicial security.
