On Monday, July 15th, 2026, Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan appeared before Congress for the first time since 2019 to discuss the court's security needs amid rising threats.

Justice Barrett revealed the personal impact of these threats, stating, "Maybe I lack imagination, but I didn’t expect that performing this service was going to put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was and why I had to wear one."

She explained that the Supreme Court has requested an additional $14.6 million for enhanced security as part of its $228 million budget. Barrett also disclosed that she was the target of a "swatting" attack earlier in the year, where someone falsely reported an armed shooter at her home.

Justice Kagan noted that threats against the Supreme Court have increased by 38% this year. The justices' testimony comes amid heightened political tensions, including an assassination attempt on Justice Brett Kavanaugh following the 2022 leak of the Dobbs opinion, which overturned Roe v. Wade.

The court has also recently ruled against several policies associated with former President Trump, including striking down universal tariffs, affirming birthright citizenship over an executive order, and blocking the removal of a governor from the Federal Reserve Board.

Meanwhile, political figures such as Sheldon Whitehouse have raised ethical questions about justices accepting gifts, and many Democratic leaders support expanding the Supreme Court, reflecting ongoing disputes over its decisions. A 2024 Democratic presidential candidate remarked on a podcast, "This is a moment where there are no bad ideas," regarding court reform proposals.

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