The Denver Police Department is working in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate threats that have been made against the Colorado state Supreme Court justices who ruled that former President Donald Trump can’t appear on the state’s presidential primary ballot.
A Denver PD spokesperson confirmed this week that they are “currently investigating incidents directed at Colorado Supreme Court justices and will continue working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate any reports of threats or harassment.”
No details about the probes were released, as the spokesperson cited “safety and privacy considerations” about the investigations, which are still ongoing.
In the meantime, police are ensuring that extra patrols are dedicated near the residences of the justices in question in the Denver area. And should additional support be requested or needed — in response to a reported threat — they will be sent.
Just last week, the Colorado Supreme Court issued a 4-3 decision that bars Trump from appearing on the presidential primary ballot in the state. They based their decision on the insurrectionist clause in the 14th Amendment.
🚨FBI SAYS COLORADO JUSTICES THREATENED
FBI is investigating numerous threats against Colorado Supreme Court justices after Trump's removal from the ballot.
Source: CNN pic.twitter.com/PA1yWnzcdb
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 26, 2023
Groups had filed lawsuits that said Trump should be barred because he participated in an insurrection over his role in the Capitol protests in January 2021.
Advance Democracy, a non-partisan non-profit organization, released an analysis recently that showed there was “significant violent rhetoric” appearing online that targets not just the Colorado Supreme Court justices but also Democrats in general.
In multiple online forums that are seen as pro-Trump, people have posted the names of the liberal justices who voted to bar Trump from the Colorado ballot. In addition, there have been many calls for people to publicly disclose the justices’ private information.
Some have even called for direct violence against the justices for their decisions.
Despite the Colorado ruling, it’s likely that Trump will still appear on the presidential primary ballot in the state, as he is appealing the ruling. That will stay the ruling until after the appeal is heard, and that likely won’t occur until after the primary is held on March 5.
The Colorado Republican Party has threatened to switch to a complete caucus system should Trump ultimately be barred from appearing on the primary ballot there.
