Security measures around the residences of Colorado Supreme Court justices have been beefed up in response to reported threats and harassment following their recent ruling against Donald Trump’s eligibility to run for president in the state.
The FBI and Denver Police Department have launched investigations into the threats targeting the justices involved in the pivotal 4-3 decision that barred the GOP frontrunner from appearing on Colorado’s ballots. The ruling was made on the grounds that Trump violated the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause.
This clause, enshrined in Article I, Section 9, Clause 3 of the Constitution, prohibits individuals from holding federal or state office if they have previously pledged to support the Constitution and are found to have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against it.
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The Colorado Supreme Court determined that Trump’s actions, including his impeachment by the House of Representatives for inciting the violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and pressuring Georgia officials to overturn the 2020 election results, constituted insurrection and rebellion against the Constitution.
The ruling, issued on December 20, 2023, triggered outrage among Trump’s supporters, who accused the justices of bias and corruption. Social media and various platforms were flooded with expressions of anger, including violent threats against the justices.
Confirming increased security measures, the Denver Police Department stated its provision of additional patrols around the justices’ residences. They assured continued support and investigation of reported threats or harassment, including responding to a reported incident at a justice’s home on December 21, which was later determined to be a hoax.
The ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court holds significant implications for the 2024 presidential race, particularly as Colorado stands as a pivotal swing state crucial to determining the election outcome.
In response to numerous legal challenges filed by Trump’s campaign seeking to overturn the 2020 election results in various states, including Colorado, most have been dismissed due to lack of evidence or standing.
Trump’s legal team plans to appeal the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, aiming for a favorable ruling from the conservative majority. However, legal experts remain skeptical, citing the straightforward nature of the insurrection clause, which offers little room for interpretation, and the slim chances of the U.S. Supreme Court taking up the case.
