Threats to Colorado Supreme Court justices under investigation after disqualifying Trump from 2024 ballot
After their decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential primary election, Colorado Supreme Court justices are reportedly facing threats and violent rhetoric.
The decision, made on December 19, is based on the justices’ determination that Trump’s actions leading up to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, amounted to engaging in insurrection. This disqualifies him from holding office under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
According to reports from multiple outlets, online posts about violence toward the justices spread rapidly in the 24 hours after the decision was announced. The FBI is aware of the situation and working with local law enforcement to investigate the threats.
In response to the threats, the Denver Police Department is increasing patrols near the justices’ residences, and the FBI is pursuing investigations of any threat or use of violence committed by someone who uses extremist views to justify their actions.
Reports have also found that social media users posted “significant violent rhetoric” against justices and Democrats after the ruling. The Advance Democracy organization found that violent language and threats were being made against the Colorado justices and others perceived to be behind the court’s ruling.
The Colorado Judicial Branch did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment, and Denver police did not respond to a request for comment from the same outlet.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove Trump from the ballot received backlash from Trump supporters, with messages posted on pro-Trump forums, extremist websites and Truth Social containing violent language and threats against the justices.
Despite the threats and violent rhetoric, the justices have stood by their decision, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the 14th Amendment does not apply to the president. Their decision was based on the 14th Amendment which bans anyone who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office.