Overview
- Reporting based on budget documents and interviews with court insiders says the Supreme Court is quietly moving to substantially increase its police ranks, with planning that could more than double the force.
- The Supreme Court Police Department’s website lists allocated staffing for 233 officers, up from under 200 in recent years, while court budget requests seek over $207 million for 821 full‑time employees in fiscal 2027.
- Officials and insiders describe the expansion as a response to rising threats to justices, with the court creating units such as a Protective Intelligence Unit to vet and assess physical and electronic risks.
- Lawmakers including Rep. Rosa DeLauro have pressed the court for clearer accounting of how appropriated funds are being spent and have raised questions about taxpayer costs and oversight.
- The buildout accelerated after protests and security incidents following the 2022 Dobbs leak, and the changes could mean more armed officers, broader intelligence work, and increased congressional scrutiny of judicial security spending.