The Colorado Supreme Court has determined, in a 4-3 ruling, that Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president in the state’s election next year. The court cited a constitutional insurrection clause and stated that Trump’s involvement in the US Capitol riot nearly three years ago disqualified him as a candidate. This decision marks the first-ever use of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution to disqualify a presidential candidate.
The Trump campaign, denouncing the decision as anti-democratic, has vowed to appeal. Despite similar attempts to prevent Trump from appearing on the ballot in New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Michigan falling short, the court has temporarily suspended the ruling until next month, pending appeal. This suspension specifically pertains to Colorado and has implications for the state’s primary election on March 5, potentially influencing the general election in Colorado next November.
Gravity of their decision
Emphasizing the gravity of their decision, the justices acknowledged the weight of the questions at hand. They articulated, “We do not reach these conclusions lightly,” underscoring their commitment to applying the law impartially and resisting succumbing to public sentiment.
The court’s ruling, overturning a prior decision by a Colorado judge, contends that the insurrection ban in the 14th Amendment does not extend to presidents due to its lack of explicit mention. Additionally, the lower court judge found Trump culpable for participating in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed Congress during the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.
Scheduled to take effect on January 4, 2024, on the eve of the deadline for the state to finalize its presidential primary ballots, the Colorado Supreme Court verdict has immediately prompted a response from Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Donald Trump campaign. In the wake of the decision, Cheung criticized the ruling as “completely flawed” and accused the justices, all appointed by Democratic governors, of partisan bias. Subsequently, Cheung announced that Trump’s legal team would promptly file an appeal to the US Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 6 to 3 majority.
