A top security official in the U.S. federal judiciary warned judges earlier this week about potential security threats to courthouses as the Nov. 5 election approaches, highlighting that courthouses are frequently targeted “during times of increased national tension.” Paul Gamble, the chief of the facilities and security office at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, emphasized in a Sept. 23 memo, reviewed by Reuters, that no court facilities have been impacted by recent election-related security incidents.
Gamble explained that law enforcement and intelligence organizations had alerted the court system to security concerns connected to the upcoming election, including suspicious letters sent to state officials. He attached an alert issued by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, following reports that election officials in multiple states had received letters containing suspicious substances. One such letter, sent by a group identified as the “United States Traitor Elimination Army,” was included in the alert.
Gamble urged courts to discuss potential local threats with the U.S. Marshals Service and other security agencies, coordinate with local law enforcement on protective measures, and review procedures for emergency notifications and safe mail handling.
The Administrative Office, the judiciary’s administrative arm, declined to comment on the matter. As early voting continues in several states ahead of the Nov. 5 election, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris faces Republican former President Donald Trump, courts are preparing for an influx of election-related litigation, some of which is already underway.
In response to an increase in threats to judges nationwide, documented in a Reuters investigation, the judiciary has worked to enhance security. The U.S. Marshals Service, responsible for judicial protection, reported that serious threats against federal judges rose from 224 in fiscal year 2021 to 457 in fiscal year 2023, which ended on Sept. 30.
This surge coincides with the period beginning around the 2020 presidential election, when courts handled several high-profile cases, including unsuccessful lawsuits by Trump and his allies attempting to overturn his defeat to current President Joe Biden. Additionally, the judiciary is remaining vigilant against potential cyber breaches by foreign actors seeking to interfere with election-related litigation or spread misinformation.
