CNN Chief Supreme Court Analyst Joan Biskupic described the "compelling moment" Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett shared during her testimony before Congress on Tuesday.
Barrett and Justice Elena Kagan made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill to testify before the House Appropriations subcommittee and requested a $16.6 million budget increase amid escalating threats against judges. Biskupic described the "raw testimony" during the live broadcast with CNN anchor Boris Sanchez — and a moment that caught her attention during the hearing.
"This morning they were before House members making their pitch for more security, explaining the kinds of needs they have both for more officers at their residence, more officers at the Supreme Court, a better screening system for people who are going into the court, visitors, and then also cybersecurity," Biskupic said. "We know that there have been some leaks from the court, but they're very much worried about what kind of cybersecurity risks they have right now. And I have to say, a very compelling moment came early in the hearing when Justice Barrett, who was up there with Justice Kagan, talked personally about what the security threats have meant to her and her family."
Barrett revealed how it impacted her child.
"When threats to my life were particularly intense a few years ago, around the time of the Dobbs leak, my security detail sent me home with a bulletproof vest, and I carried it into my house, put it into my bedroom, dropped it down on a table, turned around, and my 12-year-old son was standing in the doorway of my bedroom," Barrett said. "And he wanted to know what it was and why I had it, and I didn't know how to respond because, maybe I lack imagination, but I didn't expect that performing this service was going to put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, and why I had to wear one."
Biskupic reacted to the comments, and another troubling incident that Barrett spoke about.
"Pretty raw testimony there, Boris," Biskupic said. "She also talked about just a few weeks ago, her family was the victim of a swatting incident where another son had gone out to the front porch and saw all these police officers there because there had been a false call into police."