"Rising Political Tensions Lead to Surge in Threats Against Federal Judges and Prosecutors"

Threats against US federal judges have more than doubled since 2021, reaching 457 serious threats in fiscal year 2023, driven by growing politically motivated violence, according to US Marshals Service data. The spike is linked to the country's bitter political divisions, with judges and prosecutors facing threats related to highly politicized cases, including those involving former President Donald Trump and the Supreme Court's decision on abortion rights. The agency is concerned about the rising tide of threats fueled by partisan divisions and vitriol on social media, with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressing alarm at the spike in threats against public officials and warning that they threaten the fabric of democracy.