The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Denver Police Department have initiated investigations into the threats made against Colorado Supreme Court justices who ruled that former President Trump is prohibited from appearing on the state's ballots in the upcoming presidential election. Following the court's decision, there has been a surge in violent rhetoric and threats against the justices, prompting law enforcement agencies to take immediate action.

According to a spokesperson for the Denver police, the department is actively investigating incidents directed at the Colorado Supreme Court justices. They further assured the public that they are collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate any reports of threats or harassment. Due to ongoing investigations and considerations regarding the safety and privacy of the justices, specific details regarding the probes were not disclosed.

To ensure the safety of the justices, the Denver police have increased patrols around their residences in the city. Additionally, they have expressed their willingness to provide additional safety support if requested. These measures aim to safeguard the justices who recently ruled that the insurrection clause under the US Constitution's 14th Amendment applied to Trump in connection with his actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.

An analysis conducted by nonpartisan research nonprofit Advance Democracy revealed a concerning level of violent rhetoric online from Trump supporters targeting the justices and Democrats following the court's decision. NBC News reported that the names of the four justices who disqualified Trump from the 2024 ballot have appeared frequently in posts on pro-Trump online forums. These posts not only called for the disclosure of the judges' personal information but also featured alarming calls for violence.

Posts on these forums have included explicit calls for the justices and Trump's opponents to be killed through means such as guns, hangings, or bombs. Some individuals even advocated for their followers to stock up on weapons, proposing the idea of a civil war against Democrats. The severity of the rhetoric escalated with one post urging Trump supporters to "behead judges" and "slam dunk a judge's baby into the trash can." Another disturbing comment stated, "this ends when we kill these f-ers."

The concerning trend of violent rhetoric is not limited to online forums. Users have also been replying directly to Trump's posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, with similar threatening language. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the FBI released a statement to Axios, affirming their awareness and commitment to working alongside local law enforcement. The agency emphasized that they will vigorously pursue investigations into any threats or acts of violence committed by individuals who utilize extremist views to justify their actions, regardless of their motivations.

As the investigations progress, law enforcement agencies are focused on ensuring the safety and security of the Colorado Supreme Court justices and addressing the threats made against them. The collaboration between the FBI, the Denver Police Department, and other law enforcement partners will be instrumental in bringing those responsible for the threats to justice.