Federal judges face threats after ruling against the Trump administration

60 Minutes - Newsmakers Federal judges who've ruled against Trump administration denounce threats against themselves, their families .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-60-minutes.jpg'); } By Bill Whitaker, Bill Whitaker 60 Minutes Correspondent Bill Whitaker is an award-winning journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent who has covered major news stories, domestically and across the globe, for more than four decades with CBS News. Read Full Bio Bill Whitaker, Heather Abbott June 7, 2026 / 7:00 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google This is an updated version of a story first published on March 1, 2026. The original video can be viewed here. When the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariffs last February, the president lashed out against two Supreme Court Justices he nominated calling them fools and lapdogs. The president has frequently railed against judges when they rule against him. What often happens next is a barrage of violent threats from his followers against those judges. As we first reported in March, we spoke with 26 federal judges – nine Democratic appointees, 17 Republican, both sitting and retired. The sitting judges told us they feel under siege. Most would not appear on camera, fearful for their safety. Judge John Coughenour – appointed by Ronald Reagan - is one of the few who would. He blocked President Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship. He wasn't prepared for what happened next.Judge John Coughenour: My wife and I are at home. And the doorbell rings. And I go to the door. And there's, I think, five sheriff's deputies there with long rifles –Bill Whitaker: And they show up with guns drawn?Judge John Coughenour: Oh yeah. Yes, yes. Long guns, very intimidating guns. And they said to me, "Sir, could we see your wife?" And I said, "whatever for?" And they said, well, sir, we've had a report that you've murdered your wife."It was a cruel hoax. The next day? A...