Federal Judge Faces UNSEEN Threat!

Seven unsolicited pizza deliveries to federal judge J. Michelle Childs’ home expose alarming intimidation tactics threatening our judiciary’s integrity.

At a Glance

• U.S. Circuit Judge J. Michelle Childs reported receiving seven unsolicited pizza deliveries to her home in an apparent intimidation attempt.
• The incident highlights a dramatic and ongoing surge in security threats against federal judges.
• Congress has previously passed legislation to protect judges’ personal information, but calls for enhanced security are growing.
• The incident reflects a dangerous trend of targeting the judiciary in a highly polarized political climate.

A Chilling Threat Delivered to a Judge’s Doorstep

The U.S. federal judiciary is facing unprecedented threats, a reality brought into sharp focus by a chilling story from Judge J. Michelle Childs. Speaking at an American Bar Association event in Seattle on July 21, Judge Childs revealed that she had been targeted by an unsettling intimidation tactic: seven unsolicited pizzas were delivered to her private residence.

While seemingly minor, the act is emblematic of a growing and dangerous trend. It’s not about the pizza; it’s about sending a message to a federal judge that “we know where you live.” This incident comes amid a continuous rise in threats and harassment aimed at the judiciary.

A Growing Crisis of Judicial Intimidation

This is not an isolated event. The U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for protecting federal judges, has reported a dramatic increase in threats in recent years. The judiciary has been pleading with Congress for enhanced security measures, a call that became tragically urgent after the 2020 murder of Daniel Anderl, the 20-year-old son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, who was killed at their home by a disgruntled lawyer.

That attack spurred the passage of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act, a law designed to protect judges’ personal information from being published online. Yet, as Judge Childs’s experience shows, the threats continue.

The Fight for an Independent Judiciary

The immediate concern is the personal safety of Judge Childs and her family. But the implications are far broader. Such intimidation tactics, if left unchecked, can have a chilling effect on judicial independence. The foundation of our legal system rests on the ability of judges to render impartial judgments free from fear or coercion.

“In an interview with The Washington Post, U.S. Circuit Judge J. Michelle Childs, who serves in Washington, said she has received seven anonymous pizza deliveries at her home in the past few months — one shortly after she took part in a ruling against the Trump administration …” pic.twitter.com/abeBjanBb6

— Azi (@Azi) May 11, 2025

The incident has renewed calls in Washington for more robust security funding and protocols to protect the men and women who serve on the federal bench. This isn’t a partisan issue; it is a fundamental requirement for preserving the rule of law in an increasingly volatile political environment.