Federal judge reveals he received death threats after blocking Trump's funding freeze

WASHINGTON, DC: US District Judge John McConnell has spoken publicly about receiving multiple death threats after issuing a temporary block on the Trump administration's 2025 freeze on trillions of dollars in federal funding.

As stated by The Washington Post, McConnell, who was nominated to the federal bench by former President Barack Obama, has faced at least six credible death threats since issuing the ruling. Speaking about the experience, the Rhode Island chief federal judge said one episode stood out above the rest.

"I don't think anything disturbed me as much as that did," McConnell said, referring to a pizza that arrived at his home despite no one in his family placing an order. 

Judge says pizza delivery reminded him of another judge's family tragedy

McConnell said he checked the name on the delivery and found it was addressed to Daniel Anderl, the son of New Jersey US District Judge Esther Salas.

Daniel Anderl was fatally shot in 2020 after a gunman posing as a delivery driver targeted the family's home.

The judge said the incident left a lasting impact. As disclosed by the report, the US Marshals Service also informed McConnell that one of the threats specifically mentioned his wife.

McConnell also said the threats became even more personal after online posts included information about his daughter.

"I signed up for whatever, I'll take the lumps," he said. "I felt like someone put a dagger through my heart" when the threats involved his daughter.

As per the report, McConnell's office also received hundreds of hostile emails and phone calls following the ruling. He replayed one voicemail for the newspaper in which a caller threatened violence against him.

Online criticism followed funding ruling

According to the report, activist Laura Loomer criticized McConnell online after the judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's funding freeze.

The report said her posts included a photograph of McConnell's daughter and personal information about her.

The report also noted that Elon Musk, who at the time headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reshared one of Loomer's posts on X. McConnell said the experience reflected what he described as the increasing personalization of attacks directed at judges.

"We're just doing our job", he said. "What's unusual is the dehumanization, the threats, the personalization of our doing our jobs".

White House defends Trump as debate over judicial rhetoric continues

The report also noted longstanding criticism directed at President Donald Trump over his public comments about judges who rule against his administration. It said some critics have argued that such rhetoric contributes to hostility toward members of the judiciary.

Last month, Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared before Congress seeking additional funding to strengthen security measures because of threats against members of the court, according to the report.

During the hearing, Kagan criticized what she described as "dangerous" rhetoric directed at judges.

Responding to the allegations, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson rejected any suggestion that Trump's comments should be viewed as encouraging threats.

"Trying to suggest President Trump sharing his thoughts about judges is akin to making threats is deeply unserious and should be dismissed by anyone with half a brain", Jackson said in a statement.

She added, "No one understands the dangers of political violence more than President Trump" and said the administration "cares deeply for the safety of all members of the Judicial Branch."