U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), along with Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Chris Coons (D-Del.), have introduced the Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to establish a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center, which will provide technical assistance, training, and threat monitoring for state and local judges and court personnel.
“This bipartisan bill sends a clear message: violence or threats against our judicial officers is never acceptable,” said Rep. McCaul. He emphasized that no public servant should live in fear for themselves or their families.
Rep. McBath noted the increasing threats against judges, stating, “Threats and personal attacks against judges and court personnel are becoming increasingly more common.” She highlighted the need for tools to protect judges and court staff.
Senator Cornyn pointed out the alarming rate of threats against judges and their families, saying that more must be done to ensure safety in courts. Senator Coons echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of protecting public servants from threats.
The bill seeks to address a significant gap in resources available to state and local judicial officers compared to their federal counterparts. The proposed resource center would offer technical assistance, conduct physical security assessments, and coordinate research on best practices around judicial security.
The introduction of this legislation follows a reported increase in threats faced by judicial officers nationwide, with over 4,500 threats recorded in 2021 alone—a 400% increase since 2015. The bill had previously passed unanimously in the Senate during the 118th Congress.
