In a groundbreaking decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible to run for office again under the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause. The 4-3 decision marks the first instance of a presidential candidate being deemed unqualified for office under a seldom-used provision that prohibits insurrectionists from holding office.
The court ordered Trump’s removal from the state’s presidential primary ballot, citing his engagement in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. This historic ruling sets the stage for a potential showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court, where the central issue will be whether the Capitol attack constituted an insurrection and whether Trump’s involvement disqualifies him from seeking office.
“A majority of the court holds that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment,” stated the court, whose justices were appointed by Democratic governors.
While Trump has vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the decision currently applies only to Colorado’s March 5 Republican primary. However, its implications could extend to Trump’s candidacy in the November 5 general election. Election forecasters view Colorado as safely Democratic, making the impact significant but not necessarily decisive.
Advocacy groups and anti-Trump voters view the decision as a victory, having mounted legal challenges under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This provision, enacted after the Civil War, aims to prevent former Confederates from returning to power.
Richard Friedman, a University of Michigan law professor, emphasized the significance of Trump’s actions, stating, “He took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. And then he did what he could to subvert the lawful processes for electing our president.”
If the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Colorado decision, questions arise about the nationwide implications for Trump’s eligibility. The court has temporarily paused the ruling until January 4 to allow for potential appeals.
The case, initiated by a group of Colorado voters and supported by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (Crew), may potentially escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the final decision on constitutional matters rests. Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee chairwoman, labeled the decision “election interference,” signaling the potential for a legal battle ahead.
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