House Republicans are divided over a hefty request by judicial branch officials for a large increase in spending, in part due to rising threats of violence against federal judges.
The federal judiciary is seeking $9.4 billion for FY2026 — nearly a 10% increase after its budget remained flat the past two years. That request includes a 19% funding boost for court security, which judges say is crucial to ensure their safety. The judiciary makes its own budget request separate from the president’s “skinny” budget.
But Republicans, who control all of Washington, are continuing their crusade against federal judges, who they accuse of trying to interfere with President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Seventh Circuit Judge Amy J. St. Eve, the chair of the Budget Committee of the Judicial Conference of the U.S., and Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr., meanwhile, have said they have significant concerns about the judiciary’s ability to secure federal courthouses while threats against federal judges are on the rise.
Threats against judges have nearly doubled since Trump took office, according to recent U.S. Marshals Service data reported by the New York Times.
“I don’t know that there’s going to be a lot of people excited about giving them an increase,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, told us.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) wasn’t eager to entertain the request, either.
“Maybe they should stop screwing everything up,” Roy said.
Republicans have tried to rein in the judiciary through means outside the appropriations process, too.
The House passed a bill led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) in April aimed at limiting district judges’ power to impose nationwide injunctions. Some House conservatives also proposed impeaching U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who Trump personally went after.
The big picture: Republicans will need Democratic support to fund the government, so they may need to compromise on more funding for the judicial branch.
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) was more sympathetic to the judiciary’s needs. Cole said the judiciary has “legitimate concerns.” Appropriators want to be helpful, but it’s unclear if they can secure more funding for court security this year, Cole said.
“It’s a serious question, so we’ll see how it goes through the process,” Cole said, adding that he’s talking about the issue with appropriations members.
Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), a House appropriations cardinal, said appropriators will likely find some way to provide more resources to the judicial branch, but it won’t be up to the level the judiciary has asked for.
Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus who also sits on the Judiciary and Appropriations Committees, said political violence has become an issue that judges aren’t exempt from.
“It is only appropriate for judges to want appropriate protection,” Cline said. “For security, I am open to increasing their budget.”
Meanwhile, Democrats emphasized the need to urgently fund the judicial branch and take increased threats seriously.
“We need to invest appropriately in the security of our judges,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. “We have had violent threats and attacks on judges and against the families of judges, so it’s a serious time.”
