The rise in violent threats against federal judges and other government officials is a direct result of the anti-immigrant rhetoric in the United States, according to intelligence officials. This dangerous rhetoric is not only endangering the lives of law enforcement personnel and jeopardizing security operations at the US border, but it is also fueling a surge in violent threats against migrants, elected officials, and border security personnel.
According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo from May, violent threats against federal judges and court officers in immigration cases have reached unprecedented levels. The memo, obtained by Property of the People, a nonprofit focused on transparency and national security, reveals that individuals self-identifying as militia members have been posting names and photos of officers on social media, calling them “traitors” and inciting attacks on migrants and government buildings using explosives.
While the DHS acknowledges a “heightened threat environment” around the presidential race, it avoids associating the claims of a “migrant invasion” with any particular party or figure. However, the anti-immigrant rhetoric of former President Donald Trump has become increasingly targeted and racist since the start of the 2024 campaign. Trump has accused immigrants of “poisoning the blood” of the country and being predisposed to violence, and has referred to recent immigration as “the greatest invasion in history.” His surrogates have also pushed the racist fiction of the great replacement theory, which claims that elites are orchestrating a “migrant invasion” to dilute the political power of white Americans, with some versions of the theory blaming Jewish people for this supposed invasion.
Ryan Shapiro, executive director at Property of the People, states that “Donald Trump is unambiguously stoking racial violence” and that the documents obtained show that his followers are listening. This dangerous rhetoric has already led to a tense standoff earlier this year when the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government, not Texas, had ultimate authority over border enforcement. This ruling only served to further escalate violent rhetoric and civil war fantasies online.
The DHS continues to advise federal, state, and local partners to remain vigilant to potential threats and encourages the public to report any suspicious activity to local authorities. However, it is clear that the anti-immigrant rhetoric in the United States is not only endangering the lives of government officials and law enforcement personnel, but it is also fueling a surge in violent threats and putting the safety and security of the country at risk. It is crucial for political leaders to refrain from vilifying certain groups and perpetuating dangerous and false narratives that only serve to incite violence and division.
