A group of U.S. Senators, led by Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), has introduced the Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act, a bill aimed at increasing penalties for individuals who attempt to intimidate or influence Supreme Court Justices and other federal judges.
The legislation comes in response to a surge in threats and protests targeting justices, including a recent plot to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the bill seeks to strengthen existing federal law by increasing the maximum prison sentence for violating 18 U.S.C. § 1507 from one year to five years. This statute prohibits picketing or parading near a judge’s residence or workplace with the intent to influence their decisions.
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The introduction of the bill follows a disturbing pattern of intimidation and violence against Supreme Court Justices, particularly in the wake of the leaked draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in May 2022. After the leak, far-left protesters demonstrated outside the private residences of several justices, and a map listing the home addresses of five Republican-appointed justices—Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—was posted online.
Despite federal law explicitly prohibiting such actions, no arrests were made under the Biden administration for violations of Section 1507. The Supreme Court Marshal, along with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and then-Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to enforce the statute, but no action was taken.
“Supreme Court Justices must be able to do their jobs without fear of intimidation, harm, or violence against them or their families,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act will deter intimidation of our Justices and send a clear message that anyone who attempts to harm them will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
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The senators emphasized the importance of safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, a cornerstone of the American legal system.
“The integrity of our judicial system is dependent on justices being able to interpret the law freely and impartially,” said Senator Cruz. “No member of the Court should fear for their or their family’s safety while carrying out their constitutional duty.”
Senator Lee echoed these concerns, stating, “This assault on the rule of law and an independent judiciary cannot stand. Congress must be crystal clear: attempting to intimidate justices and their families will land you in prison for a long time.”
“Threats and protests against Supreme Court justices and federal judges are blatant attempts to undermine their independence. This legislation sends a crystal-clear message that these actions will not be tolerated,” Senator Hyde-Smith added.
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The Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act aims to address the current lack of enforcement and deter future acts of intimidation by increasing the maximum prison term for violations of Section 1507. The bill also underscores the need for the Justice Department to prioritize the safety of judges and their families.
“Supreme Court Justices continue to be a target of politically motivated violence and threats of violence,” said Senator Cotton. “This bill makes clear that anyone who engages in this unlawful activity will face the full extent of the law.”
The senators’ push for stronger protections comes as threats against judges and justices have reached alarming levels.
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