Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is among state leaders across the country receiving threatening letters from an extremist group.
Megan Castle, Ritter’s spokeswoman, said Friday that the letter received by Ritter has been turned over to the local FBI office.
As of Wednesday, more than 30 governors had received letters saying if they don’t leave office within three days they will be removed, according to an internal note by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
Jim Davis, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver office, said they are not investigating the threatening letter sent to Ritter. Davis said authorities view it as an exercise of the writer’s right to free speech.
Dave Joly, a spokesman for the FBI in Colorado, said earlier Friday that local agents believe the letter was related to the nationwide threats. The FBI expects all 50 governors will get letters from the Guardians of the free Republics, which wants to “restore America” by peacefully dismantling parts of the government.
While investigators do not view the group’s message as violent, they worry the broad call for removal of officials could lead others to act out violently. Staff and wire reports
