Attack on the Judiciary | 60 Minutes Archive

In 2021, federal judge Esther Salas survived a targeted attack in her New Jersey home when a gunman opened fire, wounding her husband and killing her son, an event that prompted her to advocate for better judicial security measures after the interview with 60 Minutes' Bill Whitaker. The violent attack occurred on July 19, 2021, when Roy Den Hollander, a man with a history of legal disputes and anti-government sentiments, traveled to Judge Salas's home in North Brunswick. The assailant specifically targeted the judge, who was presiding over a sexual discrimination case at the time. During the attack, Daniel Anderl, Judge Salas's 20-year-old son, was tragically killed, while her husband, Mark Anderl, was seriously wounded but survived. Following the traumatic incident, Judge Salas emerged as a prominent voice calling for enhanced security measures for federal judges across the country, highlighting the vulnerability judges face in an era of increasing polarization and threats. The attack on Judge Salas sparked a broader conversation about judicial safety and the challenges faced by those in the legal profession, with legal experts and government officials debating the appropriate balance between judicial accessibility and necessary security measures.