Attorney General Merrick Garland. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Attorney General Merrick Garland met with Supreme Court officials on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing security for the nine justices, the DOJ said in a statement.
The big picture: Peaceful demonstrators have been protesting outside the homes of Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Samuel Alito as well as the home of Chief Justice John Roberts after a draft decision indicating that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked.
- Last week, Garland ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to "accelerate the provision of around-the-clock security at the homes of all Justices, among other actions," per the DOJ's statement.
What they're saying: “The rise of violence and unlawful threats of violence directed at those who serve the public is unacceptable and dangerous to our democracy,” Garland said.
- “I want to be clear: while people vote, argue, and debate in a democracy, we must not — we cannot — allow violence or unlawful threats of violence to permeate our national life."
- "The Justice Department will not tolerate violence or threats of violence against judges or any other public servants at work, home, or any other location," he added.
Flashback: The Senate last week unanimously passed a bill to extend around-the-clock Supreme Court Police protection to justices' families.
- It was a rare bipartisan move for a chamber habitually plagued by partisan gridlock.