FBI investigates social media posts about Colorado justices reported by 'public interest' group after Trump stripped from ballot

The FBI and Denver police are probing threats that were reportedly made to the Colorado Supreme Court justices after they determined last week that former President Trump will be banned from having his name on the state's ballots in the 2024 presidential election.

Axios reports that online Trump supporters were found to have been exhibiting "significant violent rhetoric" based on an analysis by a so-called nonpartisan research nonprofit known as Advance Democracy. This report came from NBC News last week. 

Comments cited in the report come from various unnamed social media accounts. These included: "This ends when we kill these f*ckers," "What do you call 7 justices from the Colorado Supreme Court at the bottom of the ocean? A good start," among other things. 

A Denver Police Department spokesperson informed Axios Monday night that officers are "providing extra patrols around justice's residences" after these alleged threats were made. It was also confirmed that the police are "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."

The spokesman also said that police "will provide additional safety support if/as requested," but declined to provide further comment due to safety and privacy considerations.

In an emailed statement to various outlets, including Axios, the FBI said it "is aware of the situation and working with local law enforcement."

"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," the FBI added.

Upon being asked for comment, a Colorado Judicial Branch spokesperson advised Axios on Monday night that it does not weigh in on security-related matters.

The Colorado Supreme Court's decision to kick Trump off the state's 2024 election ballot has proved massively controversial. While many leftists have taken the opportunity to gloat over this use of lawfare to strip away Trump's ability to be democratically selected in the state, some have risen to the occasion to condemn the move. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who is running to be an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 election after first joining the Democrat primary, said that such a move would make the United States "become ungovernable."

"It’s time to trust the voters. It is up to the people to decide who the best candidate is. Not the courts. The people. That’s Democracy 101," Kennedy said last week. "When any candidate is deprived of his right to run, the American people are deprived of their right to choose."