This post was originally an email sent on March 20, 2024.
On June 8, 2022 at 1 A.M., a man named Nicholas John Roske flew into an airport near Washington, D.C. and traveled to Chevy Chase, Maryland where Justice Brett Kavanaugh lives.[1] Roske was carrying a Glock 17 gun, 37 rounds of ammunition, a black face mask, and a lock-picking kit among other items. As he approached Justice Kavanaugh’s home, Roske saw two U.S. deputy marshals standing on the property. Miraculously, he immediately left the area and confessed to a 911 operator that he had weapons and had been planning on killing Justice Kavanaugh that night. Thankfully, he was arrested, and a national tragedy was averted.
The 2022 U.S. Supreme Court term was the most important term of the Supreme Court in the last fifty years. The Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson successfully overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban abortion. The prayers and hard work of countless people over a span of fifty years was rewarded with the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling.
In this present 2024 term, there are several important cases that the Supreme Court will rule on in the next three months. The following are just a few:
Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, oral argument on March 26 (legality of an on-demand abortion drug)
Fischer v. U.S., oral argument on April 16 (criminal prosecution of J6 protesters with inapplicable financial fraud law to prevent document destruction)
Trump v. United States, oral argument on April 25 (determination that President Trump is immune from prosecution for official acts performed while in office)
These cases, along with a host of other cases this year, will help determine how United States law is applied regarding justice, politically motivated prosecutions, and the issue of life. These cases seem to be on track to provoke the same level of animosity and intimidation towards the Justices as seen in 2022.
The Justices face scrutiny and pressure now more than ever.
In 2022, several of the Justices dealt with protestors outside of their homes for much of the term. Unfortunately, Attorney General Merrick Garland refused to prosecute protestors under a federal statute that makes it illegal for anyone “to picket or parade” “near a residence occupied” by a judge “with the intent of influencing any judge”. Both the Governors of Virginia and Maryland opted not to prosecute protestors under much less robust state laws and instead requested that Attorney General Garland prosecute under the federal law.[2] Similar protests continued in 2023.[3] More must be done to ensure the safety of the justices, especially with the Attorney General’s refusal to further discourage unlawful protests.
In response to ongoing threats against the Justices, the Supreme Court has requested an additional $19.4 million in federal funds to allow them to have more of their own police force protection instead of relying on U.S. Marshals. Additional funds would also allow the Supreme Court to expand the security of the Supreme Court Police.[4] While the additional funding will not take effect until later this year, it would allow the Supreme Court to better address security risks and threats to the Justices.
While it is important to take practical steps to address security issues, the Lord is the ultimate protector. Recently, beyond the historical reasons for concern, several prominent Christian leaders have highlighted the urgent need to pray for the Justices, particularly Justices Thomas and Kavanaugh.
The Bible encourages us:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12(ESV)
The overturning of Roe v. Wade was an important moment in the history of our nation. A just ruling in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA would continue our national movement towards life and away from death. The enemy will use all means necessary to stop a just ruling in this case. Thankfully, we serve the God of Heaven. Would you join me in praying for the protection of all the Justices from physical and spiritual attacks?
Action Steps:
1. Please call your U.S. Representative and Senators and ask them to pass the Supreme Court’s budget request which includes the additional security funding for the Supreme Court. You may call the Capitol Switchboard and ask them to connect you with your Representative and Senators.
Call (202) 224-3121
2. Pray for all the Justices:
i. Pray for the peace of the Lord to be upon the Supreme Court.
ii. Pray against all attacks that would threaten the physical protection of Justices including plots to assassinate, attempts to poison the justices etc.
iii. Pray for protection from all attacks to character that would seek to derail important decisions to be made this session.
iv. Pray for the Justices to “let the fear of the Lord be on [them]” (II Chron 19:7), since a proper fear of the Lord inoculates them against the fear of men.
v. Pray that the Lord would be glorified through the remainder of the Supreme Court session and accompanying decisions.
[1]Stieber, Zachary. "Man Who Allegedly Tried to Kill Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh Indicted, Faces Life in Prison." The Epoch Times, 16 June 2022, https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/man-who-allegedly-tried-killing-supreme-court-justice-kavanaugh-now-faces-life-in-prison-4537425.
[2]Sullivan, Becky. " The Supreme Court marshal asks state officials to act on protests at justices' homes." NPR, 3 July 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/07/03/1109614708/protests-at-homes-of-supreme-court-justices.
[3]Schoffstall, Joe. "Left-wing protesters return to Supreme Court justices' homes as Democrats target Clarence Thomas" Fox News, 5 May 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/left-wing-protesters-return-supreme-court-justices-homes-democrats-target-clarence-thomas.
[4]Raymond, Nate. "US Supreme Court seeks security funding to protect justices, homes" Reuters, 4 March 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-seeks-security-funding-protect-justices-homes-2024-03-04/.