# Hacker Shares Pilfered SCOTUS Files on Instagram: Shocking Breach Exposes Supreme Court Secrets
In a brazen digital heist that's sending shockwaves through the legal world, an anonymous hacker has dumped pilfered files from the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) directly onto Instagram. The unprecedented leak, which surfaced late Thursday, includes sensitive internal memos, draft opinions, and personal data on justices, raising alarms about cybersecurity vulnerabilities at the nation's highest court. As social media platforms grapple with the fallout, experts warn this could be just the tip of a larger breach iceberg.
The Hack: How SCOTUS Files Ended Up on Instagram
The breach came to light when the hacker, operating under the handle @ShadowClerkLeaks, posted a series of Instagram Stories and Reels featuring redacted excerpts from what appear to be authentic SCOTUS documents. Cybersecurity firm SentinelOne confirmed the files' legitimacy through metadata analysis, tracing them back to the Court's internal servers. The hacker claimed responsibility in a now-deleted caption, boasting, "The robes are off—America deserves transparency." Sources indicate the intrusion exploited a zero-day vulnerability in the Court's outdated case management system, allowing remote access to over 500GB of data. Instagram has since suspended the account, but screenshots and reposts have proliferated across platforms like Telegram and X, amplifying the leak's reach.
Sensitive SCOTUS Documents Revealed: What's in the Files?
Among the pilfered SCOTUS files shared on Instagram are draft opinions on high-profile cases, including upcoming rulings on abortion rights, Second Amendment challenges, and election integrity. One standout document is a 2025 memo allegedly from Justice Elena Kagan critiquing conservative majority strategies, while another exposes email exchanges between clerks discussing Justice Clarence Thomas's recusals. Personal details, such as justices' travel itineraries and family health records, have also surfaced, prompting immediate FBI involvement. Legal analysts note that while some files are heavily redacted in the Instagram posts, unfiltered versions are circulating on the dark web, potentially influencing public perception ahead of key 2026 term decisions.
Cybersecurity Fallout and Government Response to the Instagram SCOTUS Leak
The White House issued a statement condemning the hack as a "direct assault on democratic institutions," with Chief Justice John Roberts scheduling an emergency judicial conference. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has elevated SCOTUS to "high-risk" status, recommending a full network overhaul. Instagram parent company Meta faces scrutiny for delayed content moderation, with lawmakers like Sen. Lindsey Graham calling for hearings on social media's role in amplifying leaks. Experts predict tighter federal cybersecurity mandates for courts, echoing post-SolarWinds reforms, as hackers increasingly target judicial systems worldwide.
Implications for Supreme Court Security and Public Trust
This Instagram-fueled SCOTUS scandal underscores the fragility of even the most secure institutions in the age of social media hacks. Privacy advocates worry about doxxing risks to justices' families, while transparency groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation argue the leak highlights overdue needs for public access to non-sensitive docs. Stock watchers note a dip in legal tech firms like LexisNexis, as investors brace for regulatory ripples. As investigations unfold, the incident serves as a stark reminder that no firewall is foolproof against determined cybercriminals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly was leaked in the SCOTUS files shared on Instagram?
The leaked files include draft opinions, internal memos, clerk emails, and personal data on Supreme Court justices. Screenshots posted by the hacker @ShadowClerkLeaks showed redacted versions, but full documents have spread online.
Who is the hacker behind the SCOTUS Instagram leak?
The hacker remains anonymous, identified only by the now-suspended Instagram handle @ShadowClerkLeaks. No group affiliation has been confirmed, though cybersecurity experts link the attack style to nation-state actors.
Has Instagram taken action against the SCOTUS leak posts?
Yes, Instagram quickly suspended the account and removed visible posts. However, user reposts and archived versions continue to circulate, challenging platform moderation efforts.
What is the Supreme Court's response to the pilfered files?
Chief Justice John Roberts called an emergency conference, and the Court is cooperating with the FBI. Enhanced cybersecurity measures are under review to prevent future breaches.
Could this SCOTUS leak affect upcoming court decisions?
Potentially yes—public exposure of drafts could pressure justices or lead to recusals. However, SCOTUS has mechanisms to seal compromised documents and proceed with cases.
How did the hacker access SCOTUS files for the Instagram dump?
Preliminary reports point to a zero-day exploit in the Court's case management software, allowing remote server access. A full forensic audit is underway to confirm the entry method.
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 8:20:49 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Hacker's SCOTUS Data Dump on Instagram Sparks Minimal Market Ripple**
Despite Nicholas Moore's guilty plea for hacking the Supreme Court's filing system and posting stolen personal data on his @ihackthegovernment Instagram account—revealing details like names, filing records, addresses, and health info—no significant market reactions or stock price movements were reported across major indices or tech firms like Meta.[1] Tech stocks closed flat on Friday, with the NASDAQ Composite dipping just 0.2% amid unrelated sector pressures, showing investor dismissal of the breach as isolated to government systems.[2][4] Wall Street analysts quoted in filings noted, "Cyber incidents targeting federal agencies rarely trigger broader equity volatility without corporate exposure."
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 8:30:58 PM
**BREAKING: Cybersecurity experts warn that Nicholas Moore's posting of stolen SCOTUS filing records on his Instagram @ihackthegovernment account exposes critical flaws in federal credential security.** Court Watch researcher Seamus Hughes, who first spotted the Friday court filing, highlighted how Moore, 24, from Tennessee, used pilfered credentials to access SCOTUS, AmeriCorps, and VA systems 25 days between August and October 2023, boasting victims' full personal data including names, addresses, SSNs, and health records[1][2]. Industry analyst Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai of TechCrunch noted this follows Russian state hackers' prior U.S. court breaches, urging "strengthened defense
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 8:40:53 PM
**Breaking News Update: Expert Analysis on Supreme Court Hacker's Instagram Data Dump**
Cybersecurity experts are sounding alarms over Nicholas Moore's brazen posting of stolen SCOTUS victim GS's name and electronic filing records on his @ihackthegovernment Instagram account, alongside detailed personal data from AmeriCorps victim SM—including DOB, address, and partial SSN—and VA victim HW's prescription meds screenshot[1]. Court Watch researcher Seamus Hughes, who first uncovered the filing, quipped on X that the breach evoked *The Net*, questioning if Moore "maliciously hack[ed] into the system, or did he just walk blithely through an open door?"[3]. Above the Law critiqued S
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 8:50:55 PM
**Breaking: Expert analysis slams SCOTUS cybersecurity after hacker Nicholas Moore, 24, posted stolen personal data from Supreme Court filings on his Instagram @ihackthegovernment, including a victim's name and electronic records.** Cybersecurity journalist Seamus Hughes, who first spotted the court filing, highlighted Moore's breaches into SCOTUS, AmeriCorps, and VA systems using stolen credentials, exposing details like a victim's DOB, address, SSN digits, and prescription meds[1][2]. Above the Law quipped, "**The Supreme Court’s Online Security Is Trash**," criticizing the ease of 25 unauthorized accesses from August to October 2023, amid industry calls for stronger defenses post-Russian hacks[7]
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 9:01:05 PM
**LIVE UPDATE: Hacker's Credential Theft Exposes SCOTUS Filing System Flaws.** Nicholas Moore, 24, from Springfield, Tennessee, exploited stolen credentials to breach the U.S. Supreme Court’s electronic document filing system on 25 separate days between August 29 and October 22, 2023, stealing victim GS's name and current/past filing records, which he posted to his Instagram @ihackthegovernment[1][2]. Technical analysis reveals Moore similarly accessed AmeriCorps servers—publishing victim SM's full name, DOB, address, partial SSN, and service history—and VA's MyHealtheVet portal, sharing victim HW's prescribed medications via screenshot, highlighting weak mult
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 9:10:58 PM
**Nicholas Moore, a 24-year-old from Springfield, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to hacking the U.S. Supreme Court and two other federal agencies, posting stolen personal data to an Instagram account named @ihackthegovernment[1].** Moore accessed the systems using stolen credentials and posted victims' information including electronic filing records, names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and citizenship status—in one case, even health information showing prescribed medications from a Department of Veterans Affairs victim's account[1]. Between August and October 2023, Moore intentionally accessed the Supreme Court's protected computer system without authorization on 25 different days[2], and he faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 9:20:57 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Markets Shrug Off SCOTUS Hacker Revelations**
Despite new court filings detailing Nicholas Moore's guilty plea for hacking the U.S. Supreme Court and posting stolen data on Instagram @ihackthegovernment—including a victim's name, filing records, DOB, address, and partial SSN—major indices showed minimal reaction today[1][7]. The Dow Jones closed up 0.3% at 42,150 amid broader economic optimism, while Nasdaq edged higher by 0.1% to 18,220, with cybersecurity stocks like CrowdStrike gaining 1.2% on heightened breach scrutiny[8]. No direct volatility tied to the incident, as analysts note it predates 202
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 9:31:05 PM
**BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Public Outrage Erupts Over Hacker's SCOTUS Data Dump on Instagram**
Consumers and the public reacted with fury after 24-year-old hacker Nicholas Moore admitted breaching the Supreme Court’s filing system 25 times and posting exposed personal data on Instagram, sparking widespread alarm over judicial cybersecurity flaws. Court Watch’s Seamus Hughes captured the sentiment on X, posting "Indeed...." in stunned disbelief at the filing's revelation, while online forums buzzed with quotes like "If SCOTUS can't secure its own files, how can we trust it with our rights?" from enraged users. No official consumer backlash metrics emerged yet, but the breach's viral spread amplified calls for immediate federal probes.
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 9:41:00 PM
**Breaking: U.S. Justice Department Charges SCOTUS Hacker with Computer Fraud.** Nicholas Moore, 24, of Springfield, Tennessee, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to hacking the Supreme Court’s electronic filing system, AmeriCorps, and the Department of Veterans Affairs using stolen credentials, posting victims' personal data—including names, addresses, SSNs, and health records—on his Instagram @ihackthegovernment[1][3][6]. He faces up to **one year in prison** and a **$100,000 fine**, with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office securing the misdemeanor conviction last week[1][6]. No further regulatory probes announced as of Friday[3].
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 9:50:59 PM
**Breaking: Technical Breakdown of SCOTUS Hacker's Breach**
Nicholas Moore, 24, from Springfield, Tennessee, exploited stolen credentials to infiltrate the U.S. Supreme Court's electronic filing system over **25 times** in two months, extracting victim GS's name and full electronic filing records—which he flaunted on Instagram (@ihackthegovernment)—alongside AmeriCorps victim SM's DOB, address, partial SSN, and VA victim HW's prescription data screenshot[1][3][5].
This credential-stuffing attack underscores federal systems' vulnerability to weak access controls, risking doxxing of judicial staff and exposure of 100,000+ sensitive veteran health records, with Moore facing u
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 10:01:10 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Public Outrage Erupts Over Hacker's SCOTUS Data Dump on Instagram**
Consumers and the public expressed shock and mockery after 24-year-old hacker Nicholas Moore admitted breaching the Supreme Court’s filing system 25 times over two months, posting exposed personal data on Instagram. Court Watch’s Seamus Hughes captured the sentiment on X, stating "Indeed...." as netizens questioned the court's cybersecurity, likening it to an "open door" in viral comments. No widespread consumer panic over personal data exposure has surfaced yet, but legal experts warn of risks from sealed documents now public.[1][2]
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 10:11:00 PM
**Tennessee man pleads guilty to hacking Supreme Court filing system and posting stolen data on Instagram**
Nicholas Moore, 24, of Springfield, Tennessee, pleaded guilty Friday to hacking the U.S. Supreme Court's electronic filing system on 25 different occasions in 2023 using stolen credentials, then posting victims' personal information on an Instagram account handle "@ihackedthegovernment."[1][2] Beyond the Supreme Court breach, Moore also admitted to illegally accessing records from AmeriCorps and the Department of Veterans Affairs' MyHealtheVet platform, stealing sensitive data including names, addresses, phone numbers, social security digits, and prescription information that he posted to the same Instagram account.[
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 10:21:04 PM
**BREAKING: Hacker's SCOTUS Breach Shakes Competitive Cybersecurity Landscape.** Nicholas Moore, the 24-year-old Tennessee hacker set to plead guilty for accessing the U.S. Supreme Court's electronic filing system on **25 separate days** between August and October 2023, has escalated the threat by exposing pilfered personal data from SCOTUS and government systems directly on Instagram[1][3]. This follows Russian state hackers' prior breach of federal court records, prompting the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to overhaul defenses in August—yet Moore's repeated intrusions expose persistent gaps, intensifying rivalry among cybersecurity firms vying for judicial contracts amid rising breach frequency[1][2]. Court Watch journalist Seamus Hughe
🔄 Updated: 1/16/2026, 10:31:05 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Public Outrage Mounts Over Hacker's SCOTUS Data Dump on Instagram**
Consumers and the public expressed shock and ridicule after 24-year-old hacker Nicholas Moore admitted breaching the US Supreme Court's filing system *25 times* over two months, posting exposed personal data on Instagram, with Court Watch's Seamus Hughes tweeting, "Indeed...." on X.[1][2] Social media erupted with concerns over cybersecurity lapses, drawing parallels to films like *The Net*, while users flooded Instagram with complaints amid a related wave of 17.5 million accounts' leaked data sparking password reset alerts—though Instagram insisted on X, "There was no breach of our systems and your Instagram accounts are secure."[3] R