Federal judge reveals chilling threats and intimidation after blocking Trump policy
Chief US District Judge John McConnell has revealed he faced credible death threats, harassment and intimidation after issuing rulings against one of President Donald Trump's
Chief US District Judge John McConnell has revealed he faced credible death threats, harassment and intimidation after issuing rulings against one of President Donald Trump's key policies, warning that attacks on judges are escalating and threaten the rule of law. According to a report by The Washington Post, McConnell said the threats intensified after he blocked parts of the Trump administration's sweeping freeze on trillions of dollars in federal funding early last year. He said the campaign against him included death threats, the doxxing of his daughter by a MAGA activist, two impeachment attempts by Republican lawmakers and even the cancellation of his homeowner's insurance. McConnell said one of the most disturbing incidents involved an unsolicited pizza delivery placed in the name of Daniel Anderl, the son of New Jersey federal Judge Esther Salas, who was killed in a 2020 attack targeting his mother. McConnell immediately contacted Salas after receiving the order, and similar deliveries were later reported by federal judges in at least seven states. The Rhode Island judge told the news outlet that the intimidation reflects a broader pattern facing judges who have ruled against Trump administration actions. "We're just doing our job," McConnell said. "What's unusual is the dehumanization, the threats, the personalization of our doing our jobs." Threats escalated after funding freeze ruling McConnell said his security concerns changed dramatically after he was assigned a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's federal funding freeze.
After issuing a temporary restraining order and warning that failure to comply could lead to criminal contempt, he became the target of online attacks. Far-right activist Laura Loomer posted criticism of McConnell on social media, including a photograph of his daughter, who had previously worked in the Biden administration. The post was later amplified by Elon Musk, who at the time was leading the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency. Following the online attacks, McConnell said his courthouse received around 400 threatening calls and emails. According to the US Marshals Service, at least six of those threats were considered credible. One threatened his wife, while another appeared on the dark web seeking his home address. Judges warn of rising hostility McConnell told the news outlet that all three federal judges in Rhode Island have received threats linked to rulings involving the executive branch over the past 18 months. Judge Esther Salas, whose son was killed in 2020, said criticism of judges has intensified over the past decade but argued that the current environment under the Trump administration is markedly different. She pointed to repeated public attacks on judges, including officials referring to them as "monsters," "lunatics" and accusing them of carrying out a "legal insurrection." The White House defended Trump's criticism of judges, saying the President's comments constitute protected free speech and rejecting suggestions that they encourage threats.
The BriefWire