U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour of Seattle says he and his family were targeted in multiple harassment incidents after ruling against a Donald Trump policy. Shortly after calling Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship “blatantly unconstitutional,” Coughenour was the victim of a “swatting” hoax, followed by a false bomb threat at his home.
The threats were discussed during a public forum hosted by Speak Up for Justice, where Coughenour and other judges described escalating intimidation against the judiciary in the Trump era. Judge Robert Lasnik said he and his adult children received unsolicited pizza deliveries referencing the 2020 murder of Judge Esther Salas’s son, Daniel Anderl — a message he interpreted as “we know where you live.”
Judges noted the harassment has intensified since Trump retook office, often after rulings on issues such as gender-affirming care restrictions, refugee bans, and federal funding disputes. Some newer judges, they said, have faced a flood of threats and hate messages shortly after taking the bench.
Coughenour warned that undermining judicial independence has historically preceded authoritarian regimes, urging, “Not in this country. Not on our watch.”
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