Nashville’s courthouse is heightening security following comments made by U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, which the court said could incite violence.
The Republican congressman from District 5 took to social media over the weekend to criticize Democratic judges for dismissing cases against a Nashville man accused of sexual assault. On his official congressional Facebook page, Ogles posted the photos and names of several Nashville judges with the message, “As long as local liberals are running things in Middle Tennessee, we are at war.”
The Davidson County General Sessions Court said it will be increasing security around the building and called on Republican Gov. Bill Lee to help ensure the court’s safety.
“We stand united in condemning any language or actions that target Judges — or any elected officials — with threats of violence as a means of expressing political disagreement,” the judges said in a joint statement. “In light of the numerous acts of political violence witnessed in recent years, the statements made by Mr. Ogles are unacceptable.”
In a letter to the governor, Court Administrator Kyle Sowell said, “We urge the State to take appropriate action to counter the dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric issued by Mr. Ogles. Tennessee must not become the site of the next preventable tragedy.”
Lee’s office did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
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