In a startling move, 84-year-old Judge John Coughenour retrieved a gun that had been stored at the Seattle federal courthouse and brought it home after receiving false police calls and bomb threats. “I’m not a gun nut, but in light of these threats, I have armed myself,” he said in an interview.
A Judge’s New Defense
Coughenour, who has served for nearly 45 years, had his home targeted by two swatting incidents: one claiming he was barricaded and had murdered his wife, the other alleging a bomb in his mailbox. Local law enforcement found no genuine threat in either case.
The Threat Landscape
The rise in intimidation has pushed judges to change their routines. One judge moved houses, another froze her credit cards after a security breach, and several have upgraded home security systems, altered commuting routes, and limited online personal information. In fiscal year 2025 the Marshals Service recorded 564 threats against judges, with 131 reported since October.
Pizza Deliveries and Foreign Links
The Marshals Service has identified 103 pizza deliveries to judges who ruled against the Trump administration or spoke out about threats. Twenty of those were sent to other addresses in the name of Judge Esther Salas’ late son, Daniel Anderl. Three sources told NBC News that some deliveries may be tied to foreign actors. Cybersecurity expert Ron Zayas said his investigation found “hallmarks of Russia-allied activity,” though he noted the investigation could not definitively tie the activity to Russia.
“It’s just a way to destabilize,” Zayas added. Judge Robert Lasnik said, “The message was, we know where you live, we know where your kids live, and one of them could end up dead, like Judge Salas’ son.”
Impact on Judges and the Judiciary
Judge Stephen Bough, who received unsolicited pizzas at 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., said the deliveries were a “new way of intimidating judges.” He notified the U.S. Marshals, who increased patrols, and he worked with his homeowners association to improve security. “You alter your lifestyle and try to encourage your family to do the same. It feels like things are different now,” he said.
Judge Esther Salas, who has spoken publicly about security threats, said, “I do think it’s important for us now, at this time in our country’s history, to really speak out against all of this intimidation, this violence, these threats to the judiciary and its independence.”
Responses from Washington
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s criticism of judges, stating that “Any implication, by NBC, that sharing the truth is akin to making threats is deeply unserious and should be dismissed by anyone with half a brain.” She added that the Trump Administration cares deeply for the safety of all members of the Judicial Branch.
Key Takeaways
- Federal judges face a surge of swatting, bomb threats, and pizza-delivery intimidation.
- 103 pizza deliveries have been linked to judges who ruled against the Trump administration, with 20 targeting Salas’ son’s name.
- The Marshals Service recorded 564 threats in FY 2025, and foreign actors may be involved.
Judge Coughenour, who blocked a Trump-issued executive order on Jan 23, said, “I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” He hopes the nation will recognize the danger posed by the escalating violence against the judiciary.
