Anonymous pizzas are arriving at judges’ homes across the nation, with some deliveries invoking the name of a murdered judge’s son, prompting Senator Durbin to demand a DOJ investigation into what he calls a clear intimidation tactic.
At a Glance
- Multiple federal judges and Supreme Court justices have received suspicious pizza deliveries to their homes, often late at night
- Some deliveries used the name of Judge Esther Salas’s son, Daniel Anderl, who was murdered in 2020 by an attacker posing as a delivery person
- Senator Dick Durbin has formally requested Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel investigate these incidents
- Durbin emphasized these deliveries threaten judicial independence and the rule of law
- Attorney General Bondi indicated she is just learning about the issue and will discuss it with officials
Suspicious Deliveries Target Federal Judiciary
Federal judges across the country are receiving anonymous pizza deliveries to their homes in what appears to be a coordinated intimidation campaign. The deliveries, often arriving at late hours, have targeted Supreme Court justices and judges presiding over cases related to the current administration. The disturbing pattern has raised serious security concerns, particularly because some orders were placed using the name of Daniel Anderl, the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas who was murdered at their family home in 2020 by an attacker who disguised himself as a delivery driver.
Judge Salas has reported that “hundreds of pizzas” have been sent to judges nationwide, creating fear among members of the judiciary. The deliveries carry an implicit threat, demonstrating that the senders know the home addresses of judges and their family members. The tactic is particularly chilling given the connection to the tragic murder of Judge Salas’s son, suggesting potential violence against judicial officers or their families.
Durbin Demands Federal Investigation
Senator Dick Durbin, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has taken decisive action by sending a formal letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel on May 6, urging an immediate investigation into these threatening deliveries. Durbin’s letter characterizes the deliveries as a direct threat to the independence of the judiciary and to the rule of law itself, demanding accountability for those responsible.
“These incidents threaten not only judges and their families, but also judicial independence and the rule of law. It is imperative that the Justice Department (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate these anonymous or pseudonymous deliveries and that those responsible be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”, said U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL).
The Senator has requested a briefing on the situation by May 20, 2025, and has posed several specific questions regarding the scope of the problem. His inquiries include the number of deliveries that have occurred, what investigations have been launched, whether any suspects have been identified, and what protective measures are being implemented to safeguard judicial officers and their families.
Concerns About Judicial Protection Resources
In his communication with DOJ and FBI leadership, Durbin emphasized the critical role of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in protecting the federal judiciary. He expressed strong opposition to any potential reduction in the USMS workforce, particularly in light of increasing threats against judges. The Senator requested assurance that the agency’s resources would be maintained or enhanced rather than diminished during this period of heightened risk.
“In the midst of increasing threats of violence against judges, it is inappropriate and unacceptable to reduce the size of the agency tasked with protecting the federal judiciary and the judicial process. Accordingly, I ask you to commit to fully supporting USMS and to maintaining or increasing its current number of employees.”, Durbin wrote.
When asked about the threatening deliveries, Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged she was just learning about the situation. “I’m just learning about that,” Bondi stated, adding, “I’ll be talking to Ed today and find out what’s going on with that,” referring to Ed Martin, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The FBI has reportedly referred inquiries about the matter to the U.S. Marshals Service, which has declined to comment on the ongoing situation.
A Disturbing Pattern of Judicial Intimidation
Judge Salas, whose son was killed in the 2020 attack, has spoken out about the implicit threat these deliveries represent. The pattern suggests a coordinated effort to intimidate members of the judiciary, potentially to influence their decisions in pending cases. Other judges, including Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s family, have also reported receiving strange deliveries and threats.
The DOJ has yet to issue a formal response to Durbin’s request for investigation. Both Bondi and FBI Director Patel later held a press conference announcing arrests related to child sex offenses but did not address the pizza delivery threats against judges. The issue highlights growing concerns about the safety of judicial officers in an increasingly polarized political environment and the resources needed to ensure their protection.