CNN

By John Fritze, Devan Cole, Holmes Lybrand, CNN

(CNN) — Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered an unusually personal plea for additional security funding for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, using a rare hearing before Congress to address for the first time personal threats that have been directed against her and her family.

Barrett, who was joined Tuesday by Justice Elena Kagan in requesting millions more for judiciary security, recalled two incidents – a recent swatting attempt at her home and the issuance by court security of bulletproof vest when, she said, threats against her were “particularly intense.”

“I didn’t expect that performing this service was going to put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was and why I had to wear one,” Barrett told a House appropriations subcommittee.

Barrett, a conservative, and Kagan, a liberal, also took questions about the court’s code of ethics, its use of the emergency docket and diversity within the judiciary. But the justices came prepared to focus mostly on their safety, and several lawmakers indicated they would support the requested influx of cash for that purpose amid a spike in threats against jurists.

Police in Washington’s Virginia suburbs said in May that they had been called to the home of a Supreme Court justice for what they determined was a “fictitious” report of gunfire. CNN later confirmed that it was Barrett’s home that was targeted, though neither the justice nor the court had previously acknowledged the incident.

Barrett told the lawmakers Tuesday that one of her teenage sons opened the door that evening to head out with friends and was confronted with an armada of police cars that “had responded to a false report of gun shots and raised voices in my home.” Barrett said she was grateful that the Supreme Court police detail assigned to her home quickly communicated with local police so that they did not “attempt to enter our home.”

“Many of us have received threatening anonymous deliveries designed to intimidate and harass us,” Barrett said.

The judiciary has requested nearly $921 million for security overall, a $29 million increase compared to last year, for frontline security forces at federal courthouses. The ask includes an increase of nearly $15 million to make members of the Supreme Court Police available to protect the justices and their families, including at their homes. It also includes $6 million for a planned structure in which to conduct security screening before visitors enter the Supreme Court building.

Grilled on ethics

Several lawmakers pressed the justices on the code of ethics the Supreme Court adopted in 2023 that was a response to a series of ethics scandals but that has been widely criticized for lacking teeth.

“It’s entirely self-policing,” complained Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat.

“Every othe

CNN

By John Fritze, Devan Cole, Holmes Lybrand, CNN

(CNN) — Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered an unusually personal plea for additional security funding for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, using a rare hearing before Congress to address for the first time personal threats that have been directed against her and her family.

Barrett, who was joined Tuesday by Justice Elena Kagan in requesting millions more for judiciary security, recalled two incidents – a recent swatting attempt at her home and the issuance by court security of bulletproof vest when, she said, threats against her were “particularly intense.”

“I didn’t expect that performing this service was going to put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was and why I had to wear one,” Barrett told a House appropriations subcommittee.

Barrett, a conservative, and Kagan, a liberal, also took questions about the court’s code of ethics, its use of the emergency docket and diversity within the judiciary. But the justices came prepared to focus mostly on their safety, and several lawmakers indicated they would support the requested influx of cash for that purpose amid a spike in threats against jurists.

Police in Washington’s Virginia suburbs said in May that they had been called to the home of a Supreme Court justice for what they determined was a “fictitious” report of gunfire. CNN later confirmed that it was Barrett’s home that was targeted, though neither the justice nor the court had previously acknowledged the incident.

Barrett told the lawmakers Tuesday that one of her teenage sons opened the door that evening to head out with friends and was confronted with an armada of police cars that “had responded to a false report of gun shots and raised voices in my home.” Barrett said she was grateful that the Supreme Court police detail assigned to her home quickly communicated with local police so that they did not “attempt to enter our home.”

“Many of us have received threatening anonymous deliveries designed to intimidate and harass us,” Barrett said.

The judiciary has requested nearly $921 million for security overall, a $29 million increase compared to last year, for frontline security forces at federal courthouses. The ask includes an increase of nearly $15 million to make members of the Supreme Court Police available to protect the justices and their families, including at their homes. It also includes $6 million for a planned structure in which to conduct security screening before visitors enter the Supreme Court building.

Grilled on ethics

Several lawmakers pressed the justices on the code of ethics the Supreme Court adopted in 2023 that was a response to a series of ethics scandals but that has been widely criticized for lacking teeth.

“It’s entirely self-policing,” complained Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat.

* WHAT…Temperatures of 90 to 110 degrees, hottest on Wednesday and
over interior areas.

* WHERE…Eastern San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County Inland
Coast including Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles County San
Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Susana Mountains, and
Western San Fernando Valley.

* WHEN…Until 8 PM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS…There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for
anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without
air conditioning, and those active outdoors.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Humid conditions will add to the heat to
potentially worsen heat impacts. Effects of the heat will build
through the week, with warm overnight low temperatures providing
little relief from the heat.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car
interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in
shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat
should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an
emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed.

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

The post Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 10:20AM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Temperatures of 90 to 110 degrees, hottest on Wednesday and
over interior areas.

* WHERE…Cuyama Valley, Eastern San Gabriel Mountains, Interstate 5
Corridor, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, and Western San
Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor.

* WHEN…Until 8 PM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS…There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for
anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without
air conditioning, and those active outdoors.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Humid conditions will add to the heat to
potentially worsen heat impacts. Effects of the heat will build
through the week, with warm overnight low temperatures providing
little relief from the heat.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car
interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in
shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat
should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an
emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed.

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

The post Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 10:20AM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Temperatures of 90 to 110 degrees, hottest on Wednesday and
over interior areas.

* WHERE…A portion of southwest California.

* WHEN…Until 8 PM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS…There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for
anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without
air conditioning, and those active outdoors.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Humid conditions will add to the heat to
potentially worsen heat impacts. Effects of the heat will build
through the week, with warm overnight low temperatures providing
little relief from the heat.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car
interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in
shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat
should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an
emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed.

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

The post Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 10:20AM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.