Supreme Court Justices Plan to Talk Security and Controversy with Congress
Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are set to testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee, explaining why the Supreme Court is requesting an additional $16.6 million for security in 2027.
The requested funds would:
- Deploy six new guards per justice
- Add 25 officers to the Court building’s security team
- Allocate $2 million for a dedicated home‑security office
This marks the first time since 2019 that the justices have spoken to lawmakers, a gap underscored by rising personal attacks and threats. Recent incidents illustrate the seriousness of these dangers:
- May: A prank call falsely reported gunfire at Justice Barrett’s home, prompting a police response.
- Earlier this year: A woman received an eight‑year sentence for planning to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Chief Justice John Roberts has warned that targeted hostility toward judges is “dangerous.” He spoke out in March after President Trump criticized the Court’s tariff decisions, calling for an end to personal attacks.
Historically, justices rarely appear before Congress. Since 2011, only three appearances have taken place, making this upcoming hearing a significant event in the Court’s history.
