CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said his office staff has received two death threats related to his decision to join an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a lawsuit challenging election results in four swing states.
Morrisey said he has alerted Capitol Police to the death threats his office received December 10. One caller threatened to slit the throat of an office receptionist, and the other called for the potential execution of Morrisey and anyone who assisted in the filing.
“Threats of violence have no place in a civil society,” said Morrisey, who is recovering after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. “We appreciate hearing the broad and diverse views of our constituents, however, we will not tolerate threats to our staff. Death threats are very serious, and we will not hesitate to turn over any such report to Capitol Police for investigation.
“Our office cherishes its hard-working staff, who have been working tirelessly this week to hear out concerned constituents and respond in an appropriate manner. These dedicated public servants do not deserve death threats.”
Morrisey said his office will push for prosecution of anyone making such threats.
“People, don’t cross the line and try to intimidate staff — it won’t work!” he posted on social media.
Also, Morrisey backed up his support of the Texas-based lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the Electoral College from finalizing Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential race. Texas AG Ken Paxton alleges the four states – Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to justify ignoring federal and state election laws and unlawfully enacted last-minute changes, skewing the results of the 2020 General Election.
State lawmakers, two of the state's members of the House of Representatives and Secretary of State Mac Warner have supported the lawsuit as well.
Morrisey signed an amicus brief with other Republican AGs supporting the lawsuit.
“As Attorney General, I will never make legal decisions based upon what the fake news wants,” Morrisey posted December 11 on social media. “The truth is the media has been in the tank against President Trump during his entire term in office. And now they are trying to whitewash very serious issues impacting our elections.
“We will always do the right thing and make legal decisions based upon the Constitution, statutes, case law and West Virginia values.”