"We allocate disappointment to half the people that come before us. Criticism is no surprise as part of the job. But I do think when it gets to the level of a threat, it really is about attacking judicial independence. And that’s just not good for the system or the country," said Sutton, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush.
Both judges stressed threats have been rising for years and neither mentioned Musk or Trump. Chief Justice John Roberts also devoted his year-end report to efforts to undermine judicial independence through intimidation, disinformation, and the prospect of public officials defying court orders.
Congress is not giving judges as much as they say they need for security, the judges said. Funding has been "flat" for the past two years, Sullivan said.
"Which means we're not even keeping up with inflation in an environment that is always changing and challenging," he said.