(Headline USA) The Biden administration is reportedly bracing for its supporters to become violent if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade next month.
A May 13 memo from the Department of Homeland Security shows the agency is investigating threats to “burn down or storm” the Supreme Court building. These threats arose last month after a draft opinion showing a majority of justices is poised to overturn Roe was leaked to the press.
The DHS memo cited recent protests outside Supreme Court justices’ homes and warned they are “likely to persist and may increase leading up to and following the court’s official ruling.”
However, the DHS was careful to note that it does not consider rhetoric supporting violent extremism to be extremism.
“The mere advocacy of political or social positions, political activism, use of strong rhetoric, or generalized philosophic embrace of violent tactics does not constitute domestic violent extremism or illegal activity and is constitutionally protected,” the memo said, according to Fox News.
When asked about the memo, DHS said it is committed to keeping communities safe while also protecting protesters’ right to “peacefully protest.”
“DHS is also committed to working with our partners across every level of government and the private sector to share timely information and intelligence, prevent all forms of violence, and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
The Senate voted unanimously this month to beef up security outside Supreme Court justices’ homes after the White House hesitated to condemn the radical protests.
“Attempts to intimidate Supreme Court Justices by the Radical Left are sadly nothing new, but dangerous nonetheless,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who introduced the legislation, said in a statement at the time.
“We must protect the Justices and their families in case these protests do turn violent.”
