Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday ordered additional security for Supreme Court justices amid protests, The Hill reports.
Justices Brett Kavanaugh and John Roberts have faced protests outside their homes after a leaked draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito signaled that the court was preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Conservatives have slammed the protests even though similar demonstrations have targeted Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Joe Manchin in recent years.
“Trying to scare federal judges into ruling a certain way is far outside the bounds of First Amendment speech or protest. It is an attempt to replace the rule of law with the rule of mobs,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
DOJ sends Marshals:
Garland on Wednesday ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to help protect justices amid the protests.
“Attorney General Garland continues to be briefed on security matters related to the Supreme Court and Supreme Court Justices,” Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said in a statement.
“The Attorney General directed the U.S. Marshals Service to help ensure the Justices’ safety by providing additional support to the Marshal of the Supreme Court and Supreme Court Police,” the statement said.
Governors call for arrests:
Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday called on Garland to enforce a federal law that bans protests outside of judges’ homes.
“It is in your hands to ensure that applicable federal law is enforced to preserve the integrity of our American judicial system and the safety of our citizens,” the governors wrote.
“While protesting a final opinion from the Supreme Court is commonplace when done on the steps of the Court or in the public square, the circumstances of the current picketing at the Justices’ private homes in residential neighborhoods are markedly different,” they added.
