Colorado Supreme Court Justices Face Threats After Disqualifying Trump
Multiple news outlets are reporting that Colorado Supreme Court justices are being subjected to threats and online harassment following their decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential primary election. According to analysis conducted by Advance Democracy and reported by NBC News, posts advocating violence towards the justices spread rapidly on social media platforms after the court’s ruling.
The state Supreme Court based their disqualification of Trump on the grounds that his actions leading up to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, constituted engaging in insurrection, thereby violating the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The court’s decision has sparked outrage among Trump supporters, leading to a surge in online threats directed at the justices.
To address these concerns, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies have launched investigations into the threats. The FBI has assured the public that they will pursue investigations of any threats or acts of violence committed by individuals using extremist ideologies as justification. The Denver Police Department has also increased patrols near the justices’ homes and is providing additional support upon request.
In a concerning development, Denver police responded to an apparent hoax report at one of the justices’ homes on Thursday. This incident further highlights the seriousness of the threats faced by the justices and the need for increased security measures.
A recent report by Advance Democracy has shed light on the extent of the violent rhetoric directed at the justices and Democrats following the court’s ruling. The report identified numerous threatening posts on social media, pro-Trump forums, extremist websites, and even on Truth Social, a platform recently launched by Trump. Some of these posts called for the death of judges, while others suggested physical harm, such as a roundhouse kick, against a judge.
The Colorado Judicial Department has declined to comment on security matters, leaving it unclear how officials plan to address the escalating threats faced by the justices. However, the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is grounded in their assessment that Trump’s actions during the Capitol riot constituted incitement to insurrection, rendering him ineligible for office.
The high court’s ruling also overturned a lower court decision that had previously concluded the 14th Amendment did not apply to the president. This constitutional amendment prohibits individuals who engaged in insurrection from holding public office.
With investigations underway and increased security measures in place, Colorado’s Supreme Court justices are seeking to protect themselves and ensure the safety of their deliberations, even as they face a wave of threats and online harassment.
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