Latest: Justices Appear Before Congress on Supreme Court Security

Supreme Court Justices Appear Before Congress Amid Security Concerns

Weeks after the end of a historic term, Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are making a rare appearance before Congress. They are facing wide-ranging questions as the high court seeks millions of dollars to beef up security amid a rise in threats to the judiciary.

The situation has become increasingly dire, with the number of threats against federal judges reaching alarming levels. The U.S. Marshals Service reported 564 threats to the hundreds of federal judges around the country during the last fiscal year. Justice Barrett’s security detail had to defuse a fake 911 call at her house, and her sister was the victim of a bomb threat. A would-be assassin was arrested near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Chief Justice John Roberts has condemned the threats, saying it’s “dangerous, and it’s got to stop.” The Supreme Court is requesting $228 million for its budget, which is roughly 10% more than the last fiscal year. Nearly $15 million of that would go to expanding personal protection for justices, with six more agents for each. Another $2 million would fund more Supreme Court police officers and an off-site residential security post to speed emergency responses.

During their appearance before Congress, Barrett shared her personal experience with the increased threats. She mentioned having to wear a bulletproof vest home a few years ago, something she struggled to explain to her 12-year-old son. “I didn’t expect that performing this service would put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, why I had to wear one,” she said.

Trump Welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister to the White House

Down the street, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the White House after strongly backing the political novice’s bid for office. Iraq has been under pressure to disarm Iran-backed militias that attacked U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities after the U.S. and Israel instigated the Iran war.

Trump praised al-Zaidi in front of reporters, calling him a “great fan of America.” He emphasized that the prime minister is “a great leader” and “going to be there for a long period of time.” The president also joked about al-Zaidi’s youth and looks, saying, “He’s young and he’s handsome, which I don’t like. I’m not happy about that.”

U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran Amid Tensions

The U.S. launched more strikes on Iran early Tuesday after Trump vowed to blockade Iranian ports and charge 20% of their cargo for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Later Tuesday, he said he was backing away from the tolls and pursuing another arrangement following discussions with Gulf allies.

Trump explained his thinking in backing away from a 20% toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying he was called by “kings and emirs” and other leaders who suggested an alternate arrangement. “They said we’d love to do it a different way. We’d love to invest in the United States with billions and billions of dollars,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

Inflation Report Offers Mixed Outlook

Trump hails a report showing inflation declining, blaming his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for the rate of inflation having spiked to a three-year high just last month. However, the June inflation report shows a complicated outlook for Trump on the economy. Prices fell 0.4% on a monthly basis, largely due to tumbling oil prices tied to the now deteriorated ceasefire with Iran. But prices still rose 3.5% over the past 12 months, well above the Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2%.

Prices for the global benchmark of Brent crude oil have risen nearly 8% in the past five days of trading to about $81 a barrel on Tuesday, a sign that inflation could soon pick up again as the American public begins to focus on the November midterm elections.

Attacks Resume Across the Mideast

The U.S. military’s Central Command said it struck several areas in Iran, targeting “coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites and maritime capabilities.” Iran acknowledged the strikes but provided no immediate casualty or damage assessments.

“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” the U.S. military said.

Moments after the military announced the new strikes, Trump called it “another major attack” and said the U.S. was “putting the blockade back.” Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan and three tankers that traveled through the strait.

Trump to Address the Nation on Thursday

The Republican president has said little else about the address, which he announced on social media on Monday. His post said only that he will be “making a Speech to the Nation” at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Asked about it on Monday, Trump quickly pivoted to discussing what he called a “busy news day,” talking about the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and other topics. Trump says his Thursday address will touch on ‘free and fair elections’ but reveals little else.

“It doesn’t get bigger, because without free and fair elections you don’t have a country,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. “We’ll be discussing other things too. But it’s going to be a very big announcement.”