Proposal would move security under judges’ control as justice department has vowed loyalty to president

Federal judges are discussing a proposal that would shift the armed security personnel responsible for their safety away from the Department of Justice (DoJ) and under their own control, as fears mount that the Trump administration is failing to protect them from a rising tide of hostility.

Under the current system, federal judges are protected by the US marshals service, which is managed by the justice department. According to Wall Street Journal, those participating at the March conference expressed worries that Trump might instruct the marshals to withdraw security protection from a judge who ruled against him.

Amid those anxieties, the idea surfaced that federal judges should form their own armed security force. That would involve bringing the US marshals service under the direct control of the head of the judiciary, Chief Justice John Roberts.

    • Nollij@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      31·
      10 days ago

      That would need to be affirmed by the courts to matter.

      If the rule of law still matters, here is the process:

      1. Judiciary does a thing
      2. Someone harmed by it (i.e. someone with standing, possibly the trump admin) files a suit
      3. Court agrees with the plaintiff
      4. Appeals court declines to hear or agrees with plaintiff
      5. SCOTUS does the same

      Now, the plaintiff can also appeal, and they get an injunction by showing immediate and irreparable harm. But generally, the actions can continue while the appeal is pending.