Under Siege: Federal Judges Targeted Amid Explosive Rise in Political Threats
A disturbing wave of intimidation and personal threats against U.S. federal judges is escalating rapidly, driven by growing political polarization and inflammatory rhetoric from the highest levels of government. Judges across the nation report experiencing unprecedented levels of harassment, ranging from threatening phone calls to swatting incidents and pizza deliveries used as symbolic acts of terror.
At the center of this chilling trend is Judge Esther Salas, who lost her 20-year-old son, Daniel Anderl, in a tragic 2020 shooting by a disgruntled attorney. Now, in a cruel twist, her son’s name is being used as a tool to intimidate fellow judges.
Tragedy Weaponized: The Story of Judge Esther Salas and Her Son Daniel
On July 19, 2020, Daniel Anderl was shot and killed at the front door of his family’s home in New Jersey by Roy Den Hollander, a lawyer who had previously appeared before Judge Salas. Posing as a delivery man, Hollander ambushed the family, severely injuring Salas’s husband, Mark, before killing himself later that day.
This devastating attack shocked the nation and led to renewed calls for better protection of federal judges. However, instead of fading into history as a tragic one-off, the incident is now being cynically exploited to terrorize the judiciary.
“To hear that my beautiful son’s name… is being used as a weapon to inflict fear—it’s unbearable,” Salas shared during a recent judicial webinar, fighting back tears.
The webinar, titled “Speak Up for Justice”, served as a platform for judges to publicly discuss the growing threats they face in a politically charged environment.
Pizza as a Threat: Judges Receive Chilling Messages in Daniel’s Name
Multiple judges, including Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island and Judge Robert Lasnik of Washington, recounted being targeted with bizarre and threatening gestures—pizzas ordered to their homes using Daniel Anderl’s name.
At first, the deliveries seemed odd but harmless. But after investigation, U.S. Marshals confirmed the tactic as a form of harassment designed to send a clear message: We know where you live.
“The most heartbreaking call I’ve ever had to make was to Esther, telling her pizzas were delivered in her son’s name,” said McConnell. “We had a good cry. It was devastating.”
Lasnik added that not only was his home targeted, but his two adult children—living in different cities—also received pizzas referencing Daniel.
“It’s a cruel message. It says: We can find you. We can find your family. You could end up like Daniel.”
He estimated that upwards of 50 judges have received similar deliveries.
Threats Amplify After Anti-Trump Rulings
Judges who have ruled against former President Donald Trump or his policies appear to be at higher risk of intimidation. McConnell reported receiving 400–500 hate calls after he blocked a funding freeze to Democratic-led states—six of which were credible death threats.
Among the most disturbing:
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A “wanted” poster with his face was allegedly placed inside the U.S. Capitol.
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Online posts revealed that individuals had searched for his home address on the dark web, citing an intention to have “Smith & Wesson pay him a visit.”
Judge John Coughenour of Washington state described being the victim of a “swatting” incident, where a false 911 call claimed he had murdered his wife—leading to law enforcement officers arriving at his home with weapons drawn.
John Roberts and the Judiciary’s Growing Alarm
Chief Justice John Roberts has publicly addressed the growing dangers faced by judges in two recent statements:
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His 2024 end-of-year report
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A forum in North Carolina in July 2025
He warned that the rise in politically motivated threats is undermining the rule of law, creating fear among judicial officers and posing real risks to families.
“Young judges are now worrying not just about ruling correctly—but about keeping their families safe,” said Judge Lasnik.
From Heated Rhetoric to Dangerous Reality
Though political criticism of the judiciary has long existed, several judges expressed concern that the tone and frequency have drastically worsened since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025.
Salas noted that while threats have come from both sides of the aisle, what’s different now is the official amplification of hostility.
“We are seeing top government officials calling us ‘crazy leftist judges’ and ‘unconstitutional,’” she said. “It’s not just trolls anymore. It’s people with platforms, with power, inciting fear.”
Judges have been branded as:
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Radicals
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Marxists
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Traitors
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And even targets for impeachment
These labels are often broadcast through social media or repeated on political talk shows, triggering waves of online and offline harassment.
What Can Be Done? Calls for Action and Security Reform
Proposed Solutions:
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Daniel’s Law: Named after Salas’s son, this federal proposal would redact personal information (home addresses, license plate numbers, etc.) of judges from public databases.
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Increased US Marshal Funding: Many judges advocate for more resources and personnel to protect themselves and their families.
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Accountability for Political Leaders: Judges and advocacy groups are demanding bipartisan condemnation of inflammatory rhetoric targeting the judiciary.
“We need leaders to stand up—not just when their side is attacked—but whenever a judge is targeted,” said Salas.
Strategic Perspective: Why CEOs, Investors, and Policy Leaders Should Care
The threats against U.S. judges go far beyond personal security—they reflect a weakening of judicial independence, which is a cornerstone of business confidence, foreign investment, and legal predictability.
Consider the Implications:
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Unstable legal system → Higher risk for corporate litigation
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Weakened rule of law → Investor hesitation
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Over-politicized judiciary → Loss of neutral arbitration
Judicial integrity is not just a political concern—it’s a structural pillar of democracy and economic security.
When Justice Is Under Threat, So Is Democracy
Judge Esther Salas’s tragic loss, and the ongoing weaponization of her son’s memory, spotlight a dark new reality: America’s judges are being terrorized for doing their jobs. The flood of threats, abuse, and attacks—from pizza deliveries to assassination plots—signals not only danger to individuals but to the entire foundation of fair and impartial justice.
“We are nonpartisan,” said Salas. “But we have to speak the truth. And the truth is—what’s happening now is different. It’s dangerous. And it must stop.”