(HorizonPost.com) – Republicans from the House Judiciary Committee last week requested a briefing from Attorney General Merrick Garland about the steps the Justice Department has taken to ensure the safety of US Supreme Court justices in light of the recent assassination attempt on Republican nominee Donald Trump.
In a July 23 letter, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Judiciary subcommittee Chair Darrell Issa asked the attorney general for a staff-level briefing on the steps taken to bolster security for the nine justices, particularly in light of the “heightened rhetoric” surrounding the Supreme Court and the attempt on Donald Trump’s life.
Security for the members of the high court has been an increasing concern in recent years, especially after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Following the leak of Justice Samuel Alito’s decision on Dobbs, pro-abortion activists began protesting outside of the homes of conservative justices, and a man was arrested after traveling from California to attempt to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Congress has since passed funding to expand security protections for the justices and their families.
In their letter, Chairmen Jordan and Issa criticized the recent attacks leveled at the Supreme Court by various “partisan activists” and “left-wing groups.” They also cited the articles of impeachment against Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito introduced by far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Republicans said that the tactics were designed to “intimidate conservative justices for their official actions.”
They asked for a briefing by no later than August 6 on the Justice Department’s efforts to protect the justices.
The Supreme Court justices are protected by members of the US Marshals Service, which operates under the Department of Justice.
In testimony before the Judiciary Committee in June, Attorney General Garland insisted that the safety of the Supreme Court justices was within the DOJ’s “highest priority band.” He noted at the time that he was the first Attorney General in history to order 24/7 protection for the justices and their families both at home and while they travel.
Copyright 2024, HorizonPost.com
