Proposed Youngkin Amendment Would Make It A Felony To Protest Outside A Justice’s Home

More than a week after authorities apprehended a man near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home claiming he wanted to kill the justice, Virginia Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin has introduced a budget amendment that would make it a felony to protest outside of a judge or justice’s home with the intent of influencing or intimidating that justice.

Amendment 35 on felonious picketing and demonstrations “creates a Class 6 felony for picketing or demonstrating in or near a court or residence with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing or intimidating in the discharge of his or her duty any judge, juror, witness, court officer, or court employee, or any immediate family member of such individuals.”

The move comes after the governor faced strong calls to discipline protestors who demonstrated outside the homes of Supreme Court justices who live in Virginia, such as Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

The governor also introduced a companion amendment that would provide funding for the “potential increase in prison bed space associated with creating a new felony.”