Supreme Court justices push Congress to boost security funding: “Threats have come very close”

Supreme Court justices push Congress to boost - Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the Request:** * **Role:** Professional editor rewriting articles. * **Task:** Rewrite the provided article into a new, unique version with proper HTML formatting. * **Source:** CBS News article about Supreme Court Justices Kagan and Barrett urging Congress for security funding. * **Constraints:** * Output clean HTML (`

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`. * Produce ONLY the rewritten HTML (no markdown, no commentary). * Minimum length: 600 words (mandatory). If source is under 600, expand naturally. * Check source length: The provided text seems to cut off at the end ("protesters descended outside t"). I need to ensure I capture all available info and potentially expand slightly if needed to meet the 600-word count, though the provided text looks substantial. Let's estimate word count. * Source text analysis: * Intro: Kagan & Barrett testimony. * Context: Rare back-to-back appearances, budget request ($228M+, +$20M), security ($14.6M), agents (6 per member). * Quotes: Kagan on threats coming close, chief justice quote. * Stats: 38% threat increase for 2026, 57% rise for federal judges in FY2025, 370 threats to judges so far, 512 investigations. * Political context: Sen. Collins quote, Schumer quote, Trump attacks. * Kagan on intimidation vs criticism. * CBS News analysis: 126 prosecutions in 2025, 12 menacing messages to judges. * Ending: Roe v. Wade leak mention (incomplete sentence). * Word Count Check: The provided text is roughly 450-500 words. I need to expand naturally to hit 600+ words without adding false info. I can elaborate on the implications of the security measures, the political climate described, and the specific numbers provided. 2. **Drafting Strategy:** * **Headline:** Create a new `

` title based on the content. * **Structure:** * Start with the core news: Kagan and Barrett's testimony regarding security. * Detail the financial request (budget, security allocation). * Include the statistics on threats (Supreme Court vs. Federal Judges). * Discuss the political rhetoric (Trump, Schumer, Collins). * Include Kagan's distinction between criticism and intimidation. * Mention the CBS News analysis on prosecutions. * Expand on the context of the "whirlwind" comment and recent events to add length. * **HTML Formatting:** Use `

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`. Ensure no markdown code blocks around the final output. * **Verification:** Check for 8+ consecutive word matches with source. Ensure quotes are accurate. Ensure word count > 600. 3. **Step-by-Step Rewriting & Expansion:** * *Title:* Supreme Court Justices Seek Increased Protection Amid Rising Threats * *Intro:* Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett addressed congressional committees on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for greater financial support to safeguard the nation's highest judicial officials. Both justices highlighted a growing number of threats directed at the bench, noting that several members have experienced danger firsthand. * *Testimony Details:* In an uncommon joint appearance, the two justices spoke before House and Senate subcommittees regarding the upcoming fiscal year budget, which starts October 1. This presentation followed the conclusion of the Court's current term, marked by significant decisions involving immigration policy, voting rights, executive authority, and attempts to limit birthright citizenship under President Trump. * *Budget Numbers:* According to official documents, the Court is requesting over $228 million in appropriations, representing a jump of more than $20 million from previous levels. A substantial portion of this increase, specifically $14.6 million, is designated for bolstering security through the Supreme Court Police. This funding would enable the hiring of six additional agents for each justice. Furthermore, these resources will cover travel expenses when justices leave the Washington, D.C. area. * *Security Personnel:* Currently, each justice has between four and eight officers assigned to their protection detail. Barrett and Kagan explained that this number could rise if a justice faces heightened risk or attends numerous public functions. Kagan noted that recent budget hikes have focused almost exclusively on security costs, particularly after the Court's internal police force assumed residential duties from the U.S. Marshals Service. * *Quotes:* Kagan remarked, "For some of us, those threats have come very close, and all of us live with the knowledge that they may again materialize." She added that the Court continues its work impartially, echoing the Chief Justice's sentiment that justices adjudicate cases without fear or favor. * *Statistics:* Kagan revealed projections showing a 38% surge in threats expected for 2026 within the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, data from the Marshals Service indicates a 57% increase in significant security incidents among federal judges during fiscal year 2025. By July 1, agency records showed 370 threats against judges this fiscal year, accompanied by 512 investigations. Last fiscal year saw a total of 564 threats. * *Political Rhetoric:* Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine heading the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed concern over the hostile environment. She pointed to remarks made by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2020, who warned Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh that they would "pay the price" for their decisions. Additionally, President Trump has frequently criticized the justices, especially after the Court invalidated his major tariffs. He labeled Gorsuch and Barrett as an "embarrassment to their families" and described others as "weak, stupid, and bad," calling them "fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats." * *Kagan on Intimidation:* Kagan emphasized that while criticism of rulings is acceptable, attempts to coerce the judiciary cross a line. She stated, "Wherever these come from, and whatever political figure says them, whatever party that political figure is a member of, these statements are really unhelpful." She warned that intimidation is distinct from fair critique, particularly when politicians try to influence judicial outcomes based on personal preference rather than legal merit. * *Prosecutions & Context:* Recent years have seen a wave of threats against sitting judges and Supreme Court justices. A CBS News review identified 126 prosecutions in 2025 linked to threatening communications, with twelve cases involving menacing messages aimed directly at judges. The tension escalated following the May 2022 leak of a draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, sparking protests outside the Court building. (Expanding on this to ensure length). * *Expansion:* The atmosphere surrounding the judiciary has become increasingly volatile, prompting calls for enhanced protective measures. Lawmakers are being asked to recognize that the safety of those interpreting the Constitution is paramount. The proposed security enhancements aim not only to protect individual justices but also to maintain the integrity of the judicial branch against external pressures. As the Court prepares for the new term, the focus remains on ensuring that legal decisions are made free from the shadow of personal attacks and potential violence. 4. **Review and Refine:** * Check for 8+ consecutive words from source. * Source: "Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett urged Congress on Tuesday" * Draft: "Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett addressed congressional committees on Tuesday" (Safe) * Source: "part of the court's funding request includes an additional $14.6 million to expand security" * Draft: "A substantial portion of this increase, specifically $14.6 million, is designated for bolstering security" (Safe) * Source: "For some of us, those threats have come very close" * Draft: Quote preserved exactly. * Check Word Count: The draft looks to be around 550-600 words. I need to make sure I don't fall short. I will add a bit more detail about the Marshals Service transition and the specific nature of the threats mentioned by Collins. * HTML Tags: Ensure `

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` tags needed, just the content as requested ("clean HTML"). Wait, the prompt says "Produce ONLY the rewritten HTML". Usually, this means the body content or the full structure. I will provide the content wrapped in appropriate tags. * Wait, one constraint: "Never change the language unless the user explicitly asks for a target language." Source is English. Output is English. * Constraint: "Minimum length: 600 words is mandatory." I need to be careful. Let me count the draft more closely. * Draft Count Estimate: * Para 1: ~60 * Para 2: ~80 * Para 3: ~90 * Para 4: ~80 * Para 5: ~70 * Para 6: ~60 * Para 7: ~100 * Para 8: ~80 * Para 9: ~70 * Total: ~690 words. Good. * Check for verbatim phrases. "Roe v. Wade" is a proper noun phrase, usually okay. "Supreme Court Police" is proper. "U.S. Marshals Service" is proper. * Check quotes. * "For some of us, those threats have come very close, and all of us live with the knowledge that they may again materialize," (Source: "For some of us, those threats have come very close, and all of us live with the knowledge that they may again materialize,") -> Match. * "you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price." (Source: "you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price.") -> Match. * "an embarrassment to their families." (Source: "an embarrassment to their families.") -> Match. * "weak, stupid, and bad," (Source: "weak, stupid, and bad,") -> Match. * "fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats." (Source: "fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats.") -> Match. * "Wherever these come from, and whatever political figure says them, whatever party that political figure is a member of, these statements are really unhelpful," (Source: "Wherever these come from, and whatever political figure says them, whatever party that political figure is a member of, these statements are really unhelpful,") -> Match. * "intimidation is a different thing entirely." (Source: "intimidation is a different thing entirely.") -> Match. * I need to make sure I don't accidentally copy long strings. I will paraphrase the surrounding text of the quotes. * I need to ensure the HTML is clean. No markdown like `**` or `##`. Just raw HTML tags. 5. **Final Polish:** * Add `

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` for quotes. * Ensure the text flows logically. * Double-check the 600-word minimum. I will expand slightly on the implications of the security funding and the political context to be safe. *Self-Correction on Word Count:* I need to be vigilant. I will write a bit more elaborately on the security details and the political reactions to ensure I clear the 600-word barrier comfortably. *Revised Plan for Length:* 1. Title. 2. Intro paragraph (Kagan/Barrett testimony). 3. Subheading: Budget and Security Needs. Paragraph detailing the $228M request and the $14.6M security boost. 4. Subheading: Rising Threat Statistics. Paragraph with the 38% and 57% figures. 5. Subheading: Political Rhetoric and Attacks. Paragraph covering Schumer, Trump, and Collins. 6. Subheading: Distinguishing Criticism from Intimidation. Paragraph with Kagan's quotes. 7. Conclusion/Expansion. Paragraph on prosecutions and the broader impact on the judiciary. Let's write. *Checking consecutive words constraint:* "no 8+ consecutive words". Source: "Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett urged Congress on Tuesday" My version: "Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett addressed