Youngkin says state will protect SCOTUS justices at their Northern Virginia homes as tensions rise

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin this week vowed to protect Supreme Court justices in their homes in the northern part of the state in the wake of the unprecedented overturning by the court of Roe v. Wade. 

The court's scrapping of the 50-year-old abortion rights case has led to a massive nationwide backlash, with many protesters and activists vowing to target justices at their personal homes due to their votes on the historic decision.

Several justices live in the Northern Virginia region just outside of Washington, D.C. Youngkin in a statement on Friday said the state stands ready to offer protection to the justices amid the ongoing national tension. 

"“I am in regular contact with the Supreme Court Justices and my administration is in coordination with our mayors, and local and state police to ensure we are ready to take appropriate action if need be," the governor said. "Virginia will not stand for lawlessness or violence."

Youngkin in his statement praised the Court's ruling as "a landmark decision for our country."

"While I understand that people across the nation have strong beliefs about this ruling, Virginians must always respect the rule of law and I appeal to their civility on this historic day," he said.