John McConnell Death Threats: A federal judge who temporarily blocked a major Trump administration policy has revealed the frightening intimidation campaign that followed, describing death threats, harassment directed at his family and a disturbing pizza delivery that carried the name of a murdered judge’s son.
The incidents have reignited concerns about the safety of judges in the United States and intensified the debate over rising threats against the judiciary.
Who is Judge John McConnell?
Judge John J. McConnell Jr. serves as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Former President Barack Obama nominated him to the federal bench in 2010, and the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment in 2011. Before becoming a federal judge, McConnell built a long career as a trial lawyer, handling complex civil litigation and public interest cases.
As chief judge, he oversees the administration of Rhode Island’s federal court while presiding over a wide range of civil and criminal cases.
In recent years, he has drawn national attention for rulings involving major federal policies, including decisions affecting the Trump administration’s actions on government funding and executive authority.
Why Was Judge John McConnell Targeted?
Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island said the threats began after he issued a temporary injunction in 2025 blocking the Trump administration’s plan to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funding. The ruling placed him at the centre of a politically charged legal battle and was followed by repeated intimidation attempts, according to reports.
McConnell told The Washington Post that federal authorities identified at least six credible death threats against him after the decision. His office also received hundreds of abusive emails and phone calls.
Pizza Delivery Carried the Name of Slain Judge Esther Salas’ Son
Among the most disturbing incidents was an unexpected pizza delivery to McConnell’s home.
When he checked the order, he discovered it had been placed under the name Daniel Anderl, the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, who was killed in 2020 after a gunman posing as a delivery driver attacked the family home.
“I don’t think anything disturbed me as much as that did,” McConnell recalled.
Authorities believe such unsolicited deliveries are part of a broader intimidation tactic known as “pizza doxxing,” intended to signal that judges’ home addresses are known to those making the threats. The U.S. Marshals Service has investigated similar incidents involving judges across multiple states.
Family Members Also Became Targets
McConnell said the intimidation extended beyond him.
According to the report, one threat referenced his wife, while online posts published by far-right activist Laura Loomer included photographs and personal information about his daughter. The posts were later amplified on social media by Elon Musk, who at the time headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), further increasing public attention.
Reflecting on those attacks, McConnell said, “I signed up for whatever, I’ll take the lumps.”
He added, “I felt like someone put a dagger through my heart.”
Judge Says Threats Have Become Personal
McConnell said the growing hostility toward judges has changed the nature of judicial service.
“We’re just doing our job,” McConnell told the Post. “What’s unusual is the dehumanization, the threats, the personalization of our doing our jobs.”
He also shared one of the threatening voicemail messages his office received, “You better tell little motherf—ing Judge McConnell, I don’t know who the hell he thinks he is.”
“I wish somebody would f—ing assassinate your a–.”
Growing Concerns Over Judicial Safety
McConnell’s experience comes amid increasing concern about threats directed at federal judges.
Recent data from the U.S. Marshals Service show a sharp rise in investigations involving threats against members of the federal judiciary. Judges have reported death threats, “swatting” incidents and anonymous pizza deliveries, prompting renewed calls for stronger security protections.
Last month, Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett also sought additional funding to strengthen judicial security, citing increasing threats against members of the judiciary.
White House Responds
Responding to suggestions that President Donald Trump’s criticism of judges has encouraged hostility, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson rejected the claim.
She said attempting to equate Trump’s public comments with threats against judges is “deeply unserious and should be dismissed by anyone with half a brain.”
Jackson added, “No one understands the dangers of political violence more than President Trump.” “The Trump administration cares deeply for the safety of all members of the Judicial Branch.”
Judge John McConnell Impeachment
Judge John J. McConnell Jr. became the subject of an impeachment resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2025 after he temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s freeze on trillions of dollars in federal funding. The resolution, introduced by Republican lawmakers, accused him of abusing his judicial authority and showing political bias.
However, introducing an impeachment resolution does not remove a federal judge. Any impeachment would require approval by the House of Representatives and conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate, and no such action has taken place.
Judge John McConnell Daughter
Judge McConnell’s daughter, Catherine McConnell, became the focus of online harassment after he ruled against the Trump administration. According to reports, far-right activist Laura Loomer shared a photograph of McConnell’s daughter and posted her personal information online, while alleging she benefited from her father’s ruling.
The posts were later amplified on social media, prompting concerns over the safety of the judge’s family. McConnell described the attacks as deeply personal, saying, “I felt like someone put a dagger through my heart” when his daughter became a target.
EXCLUSIVE:
🚨Judge John McConnell, the federal judge from Rhode Island who ordered the Trump admin and DOGE to unfreeze billions of dollars in federal grants has a daughter who currently works for the US Department of Education as a senior policy advisor and was appointed by… pic.twitter.com/fIP89O9EiI
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) February 11, 2025
Judge John McConnell Wife
Judge McConnell is married to Sara Shea McConnell. During recent investigations into threats against him, the U.S. Marshals Service informed McConnell that at least one credible death threat specifically mentioned his wife.
Public records also show that McConnell and his wife have made political donations in the past, a fact cited by some lawmakers in the impeachment resolution filed against him. Beyond that, little verified information about his wife has been publicly disclosed.
Judge John McConnell Net Worth
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island is estimated to have a net worth of several million dollars. Financial disclosures filed during his judicial tenure previously showed he expected to receive deferred compensation worth approximately $2.5 million to $3.1 million annually through 2024, stemming from his work as a private attorney on the landmark national tobacco settlement litigation.
Judge John McConnell Ruling Against Donald Trump
Judge McConnell gained national attention in 2025 when he issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s plan to freeze trillions of dollars in congressionally approved federal grants and loans. The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of Democratic-led states, which argued that the administration lacked the authority to halt funding already approved by Congress.
McConnell ruled that the funding freeze could cause immediate and widespread harm to states and public services while the legal challenge proceeded. The decision triggered sharp criticism from President Donald Trump’s allies and led to increased threats against the judge and his family.
