FBI to Investigate Threats Against Jurors in Trump Colorado Ballot Case

The FBI has announced its intention to investigate threats directed at the Colorado Supreme Court justices following their recent decision that former President Trump should be excluded from the state’s primary ballot.

The justices argued that Trump's alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack raised 14th Amendment concerns, rendering him ineligible for the ballot.

The FBI to review reported threats to Colorado justices following ruling in former President Trump's ballot case https://t.co/z1QUz00Kq1 pic.twitter.com/sy8DdUYx1b

— The Hill (@thehill) December 24, 2023

The FBI, in collaboration with local law enforcement, is addressing threats and violence associated with extremist views.

The justices have reported numerous threats, with an organization documenting violent rhetoric from Trump supporters online.

Critics highlight the potential impact on the 2024 election, where Trump is a frontrunner.

The Supreme Court's decision aligns with a lower court ruling attributing responsibility to Trump for inciting the Capitol violence. Similar legal challenges in other states have garnered attention, with California's governor cautioning against potential political distraction.

Trump has dismissed these challenges as "nonsense" and "election interference."

Following the court's decision, the justices have reportedly faced dozens of threats, prompting concerns about the rise of violent rhetoric among Trump supporters online.

A non-partisan research group, Advance Democracy, has tracked significant instances of violent language directed at the justices. This includes posts from Trump supporters making explicit threats, such as pledges to harm or kill them.

Advance Democracy President David Jones expressed deep concern about the normalization of violent rhetoric and the lack of remedial action by social media platforms. He emphasized that Trump's statements, seeking to delegitimize and politicize court actions, contribute to the escalation of violent rhetoric.

Similar legal challenges have been mounted against Trump in other states, with failed cases in Minnesota and Michigan.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has criticized the idea of pursuing such challenges in his state, warning against creating unnecessary "political distraction." Trump, on his part, has dismissed these legal challenges as baseless "nonsense" and a form of "election interference."