Despite what everyone has come to know about Judge Aileen Cannon, one of the biggest reasons this country is still functioning as a democracy is that the federal judiciary did its job in the aftermath of the 2020 election. People rightly point out that “even Trump-appointed judges” ruled against him, as it should be if there is no case. But as the Far Right becomes increasingly violent in its rhetoric and actions, the federal judiciary is every bit as susceptible and increasingly a target. The esteemed U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan had and has hundreds of January 6th cases on his docket. It is perhaps for that reason, and perhaps because he is black, that he was the victim of what is known as “swatting,” an incredibly dangerous act.

From Bloomberg:

In what law enforcement later described as a “swatting” incident, an unknown person had placed a call to an emergency services line pretending to be US District Judge Emmet Sullivan. The caller claimed a violent situation was unfolding at the judge’s home. Local police responded to the scene.

The following day, the US Marshals Service sent an email to all of the judges who serve in the federal courthouse in the nation’s capital describing the incident, offering tips to judges on how to stay safe, and noting a possible connection to the Jan. 6 case before Sullivan, according to a copy viewed by Bloomberg News.

The previously unreported incident illustrates the stakes of the rising threats that judges are facing in Washington as well as across the country.

Respecting “Fair Use” ethics and using only three paragraphs, it should be noted that the Bloomberg article goes on to say that this threat to Judge Sullivan specifically and to the federal judiciary generally is only rising and that this incident will not be the last, nor necessarily the most dangerous. As said above, the federal judiciary is likely what kept this country from bursting at the seam in 2020 and – Judge Cannon aside – will likely continue to be the most reliable branch of the government… at least until one gets to the SCOTUS, which almost has to be discussed separately.

“Swatting” someone creates an incredibly dangerous environment, one of confusion, urgency, and fear. Well-intentioned officers could bring about the death of the person targeted. But there are even more serious threats, and one fears that unless the MAGAs stand down, it is near inevitable that someone gets hurt or killed.

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[email protected], @JasonMiciak, with Nicole Hickman