Senate Judiciary Leader Urges DOJ to Address Disturbing Pizza Delivery Threats to Judges

Senate Judiciary Leader Urges DOJ to Address Disturbing Pizza Delivery Threats to Judges

The prominent Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee has called for an urgent investigation by the Department of Justice and the FBI concerning a series of anonymous pizza deliveries sent to the residences of federal judges.

Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, has expressed his deep concern. He formally requested Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to provide updates regarding any ongoing investigations related to these alarming incidents.

In a letter addressed to Bondi and Patel, Durbin highlighted that anonymous pizza deliveries have been received at the homes of federal judges and their family members in recent months. He described these actions as intimidation tactics that demonstrate the perpetrators’ awareness of the judges’ home addresses, as well as those of their families. He noted that the affected individuals include Supreme Court justices, judges involved in cases addressing the Administration, and the children of judges. Disturbingly, some deliveries bore the name of Judge Esther Salas’s son, Daniel Anderl, who tragically lost his life at the family’s home to a former litigant disguised as a deliveryman.

Durbin’s emphasis was clear when he stated that these actions pose a significant threat not only to the judges and their families but also to the sanctity of judicial independence and the rule of law. He asserted that it is essential for the DOJ and FBI to investigate these anonymous deliveries and hold accountable those responsible.

As part of his inquiry, Durbin requested information regarding the measures taken by the DOJ and FBI to ensure the protection of the judges and their families who have been targeted in these incidents. Additionally, he underscored the vital role played by the U.S. Marshals Service in safeguarding the federal judiciary. Durbin urged both officials to maintain or increase the current size of the U.S. Marshals Service workforce, particularly in light of rising threats against judicial figures.

Concerns escalated after Durbin noted that Mark P. Pittella, the Acting Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, recently sent a letter to over 5,000 employees offering them the option to resign. Durbin labeled this move “inappropriate and unacceptable” given the escalating threats against judges. He insisted on the necessity of adequate support for the U.S. Marshals Service to ensure judicial safety.

In his correspondence, Durbin also requested a briefing for the committee by May 20 from Bondi and Patel, along with answers to a series of pressing questions. He asked for details about the number of anonymous deliveries sent to judges’ homes since January 20, the date of President Trump’s inauguration, whether any investigations were initiated for these matters, and the number of suspects identified, including whether there was any indication of coordinated activity.

Durbin further stipulated that any sensitive information, labeled as classified or law enforcement-specific, should be delivered to the committee’s Democrats under separate cover.

The letter predominantly referenced Judge Esther Salas, who has been notably affected by these threats. Salas’s 20-year-old son, Daniel Anderl, was murdered on July 19, 2020, in their North Brunswick, New Jersey home. The assailant, who disguised himself as a FedEx delivery driver, also severely injured Salas’ husband. Authorities later identified the gunman as Roy Den Hollander, a self-proclaimed anti-feminist lawyer who had previously appeared in Salas’ courtroom. Reports indicate that Den Hollander died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the attack.

Prior to this incident, Judge Salas had presided over numerous high-profile cases. These included matters involving notorious figures such as Jeffrey Epstein and reality television stars Teresa and Joe Giudice.

In subsequent interviews, Salas disclosed that she and several other judges have faced peculiar pizza deliveries at their homes. Notably, at least ten of these orders included her son’s name. In March, Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s family members also reported receiving strange pizza deliveries, involving separate households, amidst reports of her sister receiving a bomb threat.

Additionally, J. Michelle Childs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recounted a similar experience of receiving an enigmatic pizza delivery at her home. Durbin articulated the severity of the situation on the social media platform X, stating that federal judges are subjected to anonymous deliveries intended as acts of intimidation.

He further warned that this is a growing threat to judges and their families, with some deliveries invoking the name of a judge’s son who was murdered. Durbin reaffirmed the necessity for Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel to take immediate action.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary committee voiced similar concerns on X, emphasizing the urgent need for Pam Bondi to assure full support for the U.S. Marshals Service and to consider preserving, if not increasing, its workforce.

As of early Wednesday, Fox News Digital had reached out to both the DOJ and the FBI for their perspectives but had not received a response at that time.