Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett Reveals Her 12-Year-Old Son Saw Her Bulletproof Vest After Death Threats
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Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett Reveals Her 12-Year-Old Son Saw Her Bulletproof Vest After Death Threats
Justice Amy Coney Barrett shares the harrowing personal toll of threats against federal judges, including the moment her 12-year-old son discovered her bulletproof vest at home during the peak of threats following the Dobbs leak. She recounts a swatting incident at her residence and deliveries sent in the name of Judge Salas's murdered son, a chilling reference to the 20-year-old killed when he opened the door for his mother. Her testimony highlights the disturbing reality behind abstract statistics about judicial safety, revealing how threats force children to confront violence and intimidation that no family should face. Despite ongoing harassment designed to intimidate federal judges, she emphasizes their continued commitment to serving justice.
A Supreme Court Justice delivered powerful testimony about the personal impact of threats against federal judges, transforming abstract statistics into a deeply human story. Her account reveals how judicial service has forced her family, particularly her children, to confront realities no child should face.
A Mother's Impossible Explanation
During a period of particularly intense threats around the time of the Dobbs leak, the Justice's security detail provided her with a bulletproof vest. She carried it into her home and placed it on a table in her bedroom. When she turned around, her 12-year-old son was standing in the doorway, wanting to know what it was and why she had it.
The Justice admitted she didn't know how to respond. She explained that perhaps she lacked imagination, but she never expected that performing judicial service would put her in the position of explaining to her children what a bulletproof vest was and why she had to wear one.
A Swatting Incident
Approximately six weeks before her testimony, the Justice became the victim of a swatting incident. One of her teenage sons opened the door to leave with friends and discovered their street filled with police cars. Officers had responded to a false report of gunshots and raised voices in the home.
The Justice expressed deep gratitude that Supreme Court police were stationed outside her home. They were able to meet with and explain to the county police that it had been a false alarm, preventing officers from attempting to enter the residence.
Threatening Deliveries with a Chilling Message
The Justice revealed that she and many of her colleagues have received threatening anonymous deliveries designed to intimidate and harass them. These packages are often sent in the name of Judge Salas's son, who was killed by a disgruntled lawyer.
The tragedy occurred when the lawyer showed up at Judge Salas's home intending to kill her. Instead, her 20-year-old son opened the door and took the bullet. Her husband, standing behind, was seriously injured.
The Justice noted that the message behind these deliveries being sent in the deceased son's name is unmistakably clear—a deliberate attempt to intimidate through reference to actual violence against a judicial family.
Continuing to Serve Despite the Threats
Despite these ongoing threats and harassment, the Justice concluded by echoing Justice Kagan's sentiments that federal judges across the country, throughout the judiciary including the Supreme Court, continue to perform their duties. The testimony underscored both the vulnerability of judicial families and the resolve of judges to continue serving justice despite attempts to intimidate them.
