Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has come under federal investigation over threats he made toward U.S. Supreme Court justices.
Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin has opened a preliminary investigation into Schumer over comments he made in 2020.
Schumer’s threats were directed at Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.
BREAKING: Chuck Schumer is now officially under investigation by the Department of Justice for making threats against conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justices. pic.twitter.com/uBEEv3kkae
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) February 1, 2025
The inquiry follows renewed scrutiny over Schumer’s remarks.
Many viewed the top Democrat’s statement as a threat against the justices ahead of their ruling on Roe v. Wade.
On March 4, 2020, Schumer spoke outside the U.S. Supreme Court as justices heard arguments in a Louisiana abortion case.
During his remarks, Schumer warned Gorsuch and Kavanaugh of consequences if they ruled against the Democrats on abortion rights.
“I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price,” Schumer warned.
“You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”
BREAKING : Chuck Schumer is now officially under investigation by the Department of Justice for making threats against conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justices. pic.twitter.com/8nEkIVI9l8
— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) February 1, 2025
The justices ultimately voted in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, returning abortion laws to state jurisdiction.
NEW: Schumer under investigation by @RealDonaldTrump DOJ over his threats against conservative Supreme Court justices. Letter of “inquiry” sent by Acting DC US Attorney Ed Martin–WPOST https://t.co/4U1tGh8Ynp
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) February 1, 2025
Schumer later attempted to clarify his comments.
He claimed during a statement on the Senate floor that he had not intended to threaten the justices.
Schumer acknowledged that he “shouldn’t have used the words I did.”
Instead, Schumer accused conservatives of attempting to “generate outrage” over the remarks.
An ethics complaint was filed against Schumer at the time, but no action was taken.
In a letter dated January 21, 2025, Martin confirmed that a “preliminary inquiry” had been opened into Schumer’s statements.
In the letter, which was addressed directly to Schumer, Martin wrote:
“We take threats against public officials very seriously.
“I look forward to your cooperation.”
Schumer has previously made comments suggesting political retribution against opponents.
In 2017, during the early stages of the Russia investigation, he warned that President Donald Trump was making a mistake by challenging U.S. intelligence agencies.
“Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you,” Schumer said in an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.
WATCH:
Chuck Schumer said the intelligence community “has six ways from Sunday of getting back at you” if you criticize them as an elected official
How is that compatible with our constitutional form of government?
Share if you agree that this is troubling
pic.twitter.com/m0N5VJ4WN8— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 6, 2025
The investigation into Schumer coincides with a major personnel shift at the Justice Department.
On Friday, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a memorandum ordering the removal of several prosecutors involved in past investigations into President Trump and his allies.
“I will not tolerate subversive personnel actions by the previous administration at any U.S. Attorney’s office,” Bove stated in the memo.
Martin also issued a directive instructing officials to preserve all records related to hiring decisions concerning attorneys involved in cases tied to the January 6 Capitol protests.
He added that the guidance aligns with Trump’s efforts to end the “weaponization of government.”
The federal inquiry into Schumer’s remarks marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to hold officials accountable for rhetoric directed at members of the judiciary.
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