FBI probes threats against Colorado justices post-Trump decision

The court voted 4-3 last week, ruling that the former president was ineligible to run for the White House again under the US Constitution’s insurrection clause.

Colorado law enforcement is collaborating with the FBI to probe threats made against justices of the state’s supreme court following their decision to exclude Donald Trump from the presidential primary ballot. The court voted 4-3 last week, invoking a seldom-used clause in the US Constitution and citing Trump’s involvement in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, deeming him ineligible to run for the White House again.

Following the ruling, Trump has vehemently criticized it, sparking a controversy within the Republican party and setting the stage for a legal showdown in 2024.

On Tuesday, the Denver Police Department informed the Associated Press that they have increased patrols around the residences of justices in Denver. The department refrained from disclosing specifics about their investigations via email, citing safety, privacy concerns, and the ongoing nature of the inquiries.

The email stated, “The department is 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.”

Police officers attended the residence of a justice on Thursday evening following a reported threat, but authorities later determined it to be a “hoax report.” The incident is currently under investigation. The FBI confirmed its collaboration with local law enforcement on the matter.

Vikki Migoya, a spokesperson for the Denver FBI office, stated, “We will vigorously pursue investigations of any threat or use of violence committed by someone who uses extremist views to justify their actions regardless of motivation.”

Authorities are actively monitoring online extremist forums for potential threats against the four justices who supported the decision to bar Donald Trump from the state’s ballot.

The insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution prohibits individuals who have previously taken an oath to uphold the constitution, such as those in Congress, the military, and federal and state offices, from holding office if they have “engaged” in “insurrection or rebellion” against the constitution.

In a recent decision, Colorado’s highest court reversed an earlier ruling by a district court judge who argued that while Donald Trump may have incited an insurrection on January 6, it was unclear whether the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause applied to the presidency and, therefore, he could not be excluded from the ballot. The state’s highest court disagreed with this interpretation, supporting the arguments of six Colorado Republican and unaffiliated voters who contended that it would be illogical for the framers of the amendment to bar former confederates from lower offices but not the highest office in the country. The court has temporarily stayed its decision until January 4, or until the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling on the case. Colorado officials assert that the matter must be resolved by January 5, the deadline for the state to finalize its presidential primary ballots.