I don’t recall it being normal practice in the past that Supreme Court Justices have been heckled. I think that is because their behavior earned respect for them and the court in general. In my view the SC has suffered in recent times, partly because of the overtly political pronouncements of some members and most recently the ethical disaster that is the Thomas family.
Does that justify heckling or threats? Absolutely not. However, a fair minded person would also recognize that the right of security extends to the lower courts as well, and to prosecutors, and to elections officials too. Unfortunately this kind of politics by intimidation has been quite popular in the political environment of recent years. No one seemed concerned when the ire is directed elsewhere.
Why?