Police increase patrols around Colorado justices’ homes after Trump ruling

The Denver Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating reports of threats or harassment against the Colorado Supreme Court justices and has increased patrols around their residences.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the police department said it “is providing extra patrols around justice’s residences in Denver and will provide additional safety support if/as requested.”

The heightened security precautions come as the justices face mounting threats in the wake of their controversial ruling that rendered former President Trump ineligible to appear on the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot.

In the 4-3 decision, which cited the “insurrection clause” of the 14th Amendment, the court ruled Trump engaged in an insurrection through his activities leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021, when thousands of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol.

The Denver Police Department said in its statement it was “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.”

“Due to the open investigations and safety and privacy considerations, we will not be providing details of these investigations,” the statement continued.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Friday it also was investigating threats against the justices and was working with local law enforcement to pursue potential threats of violence.

“The FBI is aware of the situation and working with local law enforcement,” said Vikki Migoya, spokesperson for the FBI Denver Field Office, in a statement. “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.”

Following the decision, social media platforms were flooded with “significant violent rhetoric” against the justices from Trump supporters, according to a report from nonpartisan research group Advance Democracy first obtained by NBC News. These online threats reportedly included multiple posts pledging to kill or maim the justices.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to review the ruling, which the Trump campaign vowed to swiftly appeal.