In a historic decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump is disqualified from running for the presidency in 2024. The groundbreaking ruling, delivered on Tuesday, marks the first time a court has found a presidential candidate ineligible under the Constitution’s Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, also known as the insurrection clause.
The court’s 4-3 decision orders the Colorado Secretary of State, Jena Griswold, to exclude Trump’s name from the state’s Republican presidential primary ballot. The majority concluded that Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol fall within the scope of Section 3, preventing him from holding public office.
Unprecedented Decision Raises Stakes for 2024 Election
The Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling is unprecedented and raises the stakes for Trump’s potential candidacy in the 2024 election. While the decision currently only applies within Colorado, it could set a precedent for similar cases across the nation. Notably, the court’s decision is scheduled to take effect on January 4, just before the deadline for Secretary Griswold to certify candidates for the state’s March 5 primary.
Texas Lt. Gov @DanPatrick flips script on Democrats after Trump gets barred from ballot in Colorado:
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 20, 2023
"Maybe we should take Joe Biden off the ballot in Texas for allowing 8 million people to cross the border since he’s been President.”
pic.twitter.com/k9IyAcKEcM
Trump to Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s campaign has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. This move sets the stage for a high-stakes legal showdown over his eligibility to run for president just as early voting begins in Republican primaries.
In response to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, Steve Cheung, issued a statement condemning the ruling as “completely flawed” and expressing confidence in a favorable outcome from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Legal Landscape and Ongoing Challenges
The ruling in Colorado is just one among over 25 legal challenges filed against Trump’s candidacy in various states ahead of the 2024 election. The Colorado case, brought by six voters, stands out as the most immediate threat to Trump’s campaign. National polls currently show Trump leading among potential Republican presidential nominees.
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment at the Center of the Debate
The Colorado case revolves around the interpretation of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a provision aimed at barring individuals who engaged in insurrection from holding public office. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed the lawsuit on behalf of voters, arguing that Trump’s actions on January 6th disqualified him under Section 3.
In November, a trial court in Denver found that the events of January 6th constituted an insurrection and that Trump, through incitement, engaged in insurrection. However, the court deemed the language of Section 3 unclear as to whether it covered the presidency. The Colorado Supreme Court’s majority, in its recent decision, reversed this finding, asserting that Section 3 does indeed encompass the presidency.
Implications and Future Developments
The decision has been met with both praise and criticism. Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, applauded the ruling, stating that it is “historic and justified” and crucial for protecting democracy.
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the U.S. Supreme Court, where Trump will appeal the decision. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching implications not only for Trump but also for the interpretation of Section 3 and its application to future presidential candidates. Stay tuned for updates as this unprecedented legal saga continues.
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