Judges Amy St. Eve and Michael Scudder, appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 2018, recently testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government. The hearing focused on fiscal accountability and the oversight of federal courts. During their testimonies, both judges addressed several pressing issues including the inappropriate impeachment threats against federal judges, the necessity for increased security, and the judiciary’s budgetary needs.

The judges emphatically stated that impeachment threats for judicial decisions are detrimental to the rule of law, emphasizing that judges should operate independently of political influences. They argued that such threats could undermine judicial independence, which is integral to a balanced and fair judicial system.

Recent data from the US Marshals Service highlighted a concerning trend: the number of threats against judges has more than doubled in recent months, with nearly 200 judges receiving threats from early March to late May this year. In light of these statistics, Judges St. Eve and Scudder urged the Judiciary Committee to bolster security measures to ensure judges can perform their duties without fear of retribution.

The financial aspect of judicial independence was also a key topic during the hearing. The US Judicial Conference has requested $9.4 billion for FY2026, marking a 9.3% increase from the previous year. This budget includes significant allocations for security, IT modernization, and defender services. Specifically, $892 million is designated for enhancing court security—an increase of 18.9%, and $74 million is slated for IT improvements to protect sensitive information.

Both judges stressed the importance of these funds, particularly for security, arguing that any compromise in funding could potentially threaten the judiciary’s independence and, by extension, the rule of law itself. They highlighted that it is crucial for the judiciary to not only be independent but also perceived as such, to maintain public trust and effective governance.

As the hearing concluded, the judges reiterated the importance of a well-supported and secure judiciary system, citing Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist 79, which advocates for adequate provision for judicial support as essential to maintaining judicial independence. Their testimonies underscored a clear message: safeguarding the judiciary is not just about protecting individual judges but preserving the very foundation of American democracy.