Senator Durbin Raises Alarm Over Anonymous Pizza Deliveries to Judges
Senator Dick Durbin, a key figure on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has voiced concerns over a disturbing trend: anonymous pizza deliveries targeting federal judges’ homes. These deliveries are perceived as potential threats to judicial safety and independence.
Durbin has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate these incidents promptly and provide transparency on their efforts. The pizza deliveries are viewed as intimidation tactics, suggesting the sender knows personal addresses of judges, including some from the Supreme Court.
Alarmingly, some orders were placed under the name of Daniel Anderl, the murdered son of Judge Esther Salas, further unsettling the judicial community.
- Durbin’s letter emphasizes the impact on judicial independence and the rule of law
- Highlights the role of the U.S. Marshals Service in protecting judges
- Warns against reducing its ranks given the increasing threats
The letter requests answers by May 20 from the DOJ and FBI on:
- The number of deliveries since President Trump’s inauguration
- Whether all cases were investigated
- If there are any suspects
Other judges, including J. Michelle Childs and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s family, have reportedly received similar deliveries. Durbin and other Senate Judiciary Democrats continue to call for action, stressing that judicial safety is non-negotiable.
The Threat to Judicial Independence
The anonymous deliveries present a distinct threat to judicial security and independence. When judges’ safety is compromised, it threatens the integrity of the entire judicial process. The use of Daniel Anderl’s name in some deliveries evokes tragic memories and sends a message of vulnerability to the judiciary.
"These deliveries are threats intended to show that those seeking to intimidate the targeted judge know the judge's address or their family members' addresses," Durbin wrote.
Senator Durbin’s call for increased protection and expanded resources for the U.S. Marshals Service demonstrates an understanding of the need for strong defense against such threats. His advocacy reflects a commitment to safeguarding the judicial branch from intimidation, ensuring that judges can perform their duties without fear.
In our constitutional republic, where the separation of powers is paramount, the threat to the judiciary requires immediate attention. Durbin’s call for swift action emphasizes the need to reassure both the public and the judiciary that justice will remain impartial and unyielding to intimidation. His efforts underscore an essential truth: the liberty and trust bestowed upon the judiciary by our Founding Fathers must be preserved and defended.
DOJ and FBI Response: A Crucial Task
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) face a crucial task in countering these threats. Both agencies must integrate investigative rigor with proactive measures to strengthen judicial security. The May 20 deadline set by Senator Durbin provides a timeframe for these agencies to formulate and communicate their strategy.
In response to Durbin’s directives, the DOJ and FBI are likely to:
- Intensify investigative efforts
- Deploy specialized units to trace anonymous communications
- Use forensic analysis and collaborate with local law enforcement
- Map delivery patterns and potentially link them to broader networks of intimidation
Senator Durbin’s request for a detailed briefing covers several critical elements. Authorities are expected to deliver a report outlining the number and distribution of these incidents, addressing whether any substantive leads have emerged, and confirming current measures to secure judges and their families.
The DOJ and FBI’s response could involve allocating additional resources to the U.S. Marshals Service, reaffirming its central role in safeguarding the judiciary. This may include enhancing surveillance and deploying specialized protection teams. These agencies might also explore legislative avenues to strengthen the legal framework, addressing gaps that potentially enable such intimidation tactics.
Effectively countering these threats requires a concerted federal strategy that embodies the enduring principles of our Constitution while ensuring that those entrusted with upholding it can do so free from fear or compromise. This approach underscores the commitment to a judiciary that remains a bulwark of impartiality and fairness within our republic’s governance structure.
- Durbin D. Letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. May 2023.
- National Constitution Center. Podcast interview with J. Michelle Childs. April 2023.
- Salas E, Kiesel PR. Essay on threats to judicial independence. 2023.
- Roberts JG. Annual report on the judiciary. December 2022.