A bipartisan coalition of 45 state attorneys general, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has urged Congress to fully fund the U.S. Supreme Court's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for security needs.
The request comes as threats against federal judges have increased sharply. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, 564 threats were reported against federal judges in 2025. As of July 1, 2026, 370 threats have been reported, representing a 31 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The requested funding would provide increased off-site residential security posts, personal protection and enhanced courthouse security for Supreme Court justices. Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett recently testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee about security threats.
"The sanctity of the independent judiciary is fundamental to the functioning of our democracy," Bonta said. "Threats and acts of violence are a direct danger to judges, their families, and ultimately, our republic."
The coalition includes attorneys general from Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The attorneys general said they may disagree on Supreme Court decisions but stand united in supporting the justices' ability to perform their duties safely and independently.