Federal judges voiced significant concerns about their safety and security at the Judicial Conference in March 2025. Their worries stemmed from President Trump's direct control over the Justice Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for protecting the judiciary.
Judge Richard Sullivan raised the hypothetical possibility of the White House withdrawing judicial security protections. This concern, discussed behind closed doors, was fueled by President Trump's past actions of removing security from former officials like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton.
The judges' concerns are heightened by President Trump's unprecedented level of control over the Justice Department since the Watergate scandal. This direct control raises questions about the impartiality and independence of the U.S. Marshals Service in protecting the judiciary.
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts expressed complete confidence in those responsible for judicial security, in response to Judge Sullivan's concerns.