Durbin pushed Mr. Serralta, nominated to be Director of the United States Marshals Service, to commit, under oath, that he will fight for the resources to protect judges and their families against the threats that they are now receiving
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Gadyaces Serralta, nominated to be Director of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Today’s hearing also featured Terrance Cole, nominated to be Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Durbin began by asking Mr. Serralta if he would commit, under oath, to enforcing all judicial orders if he is confirmed to lead the U.S. Marshals Service.
“The Marshals Service is the lead agency charged with executing and enforcing judicial orders from federal courts. I want to ask if you are willing to commit, under oath, to enforcing all judicial orders if you are confirmed to lead the Marshals Service,” Durbin said.
Mr. Serralta responded, “The primary role and mission of the Marshals Service is to provide safety for and obey, enforce, and execute all lawful orders of the federal courts.”
Durbin then asked Mr. Serralta about judicial security given that the Marshals Service is responsible for protecting federal judges. As Durbin noted in his opening statement, judges appointed by Republicans and Democrats, including President Trump, have expressed fear that this Administration will withdraw protection from judges.
Two decades ago, the mother and husband of Judge Joan Lefkow, a federal judge from Illinois, were tragically murdered by a disgruntled litigant. And just a few years ago, New Jersey District Judge Esther Salas was also targeted by a disturbed individual who shot her husband and murdered her only child.
In the past few months, the Trump Administration and its supporters have repeatedly attacked individual federal judges by name simply for ruling against President Trump. Durbin emphasized that this rhetoric puts the lives of judges and their families in danger.
“Do you feel the challenge of judicial security continues to grow in intensity?” Durbin asked.
Mr. Serralta responded, “Threatening a judge is a serious, serious crime, and it’s something that we have always been a part of investigating and holding folks accountable. Threats have been coming at judges for years—the entire six years I’ve been here [USMS], as well as I’m sure in the future. We will continue the intensity and the tenacity of investigating each and every threat and taking it to the full extent of the law, working with the various United States Attorney’s Offices in each district.”
Durbin then asked Mr. Serralta about Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sending resignation letters to 5,000 employees of the Marshals Service asking them to consider resigning.
“We now know that ‘DOGE,’ the Elon Musk inefficiency task force, or whatever they call themselves, has sent letters to 5,000 out of your 5,600 U.S. Marshals, inviting them to resign,” Durbin said.“Do you feel you that have adequate resources to meet your responsibilities in protecting judges and their families and those who are part of the court system?”
Mr. Serralta responded, “As far as the human resources, that is something I would have to study. I would have to look at where we have our folks. If I do need more human resources, I would absolutely take it up with the Department of Justice and ensure that we make the ask.”
Durbin concluded by asking Mr. Serralta to commit, under oath, that he will fight for the resources to protect judges and their families given the threats they are currently facing.
In his opening statement, Durbin recalled how hundreds of pizzas have been delivered to the homes of judges and their families recently, including at least 10 sent in the name of Daniel Anderl, Judge Esther Salas’s murdered son. Many of the judges who have received pizzas are presiding over legal challenges to Trump administration actions. As Judge Salas noted, the goal is to signal, “I know where you live. I know where your kids live. And do you want to end up like Judge Salas? Do you want to end up like her son?”
“Are you willing to commit, under oath, that you will fight for the resources to protect judges and their families against the threats that they are now receiving like this pizza episode?” Durbin asked.
Mr. Serralta responded, “Yes, sir.”
Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
-30-