DENVER, Colorado. In a groundbreaking decision on Tuesday, the Colorado Supreme Court declared former President Donald Trump ineligible to appear on the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot. The court cited the US Constitution’s insurrection clause, asserting that Trump’s involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol amounted to insurrection.
The 4-3 ruling, the first of its kind, sets the stage for a potential legal showdown in the nation’s highest court. Colorado’s decision marks the inaugural instance of a presidential candidate being deemed unqualified under the rarely invoked provision that prohibits insurrectionists from holding office.
The court’s majority, composed entirely of justices appointed by Democratic governors, stated, “A majority of the court holds that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.”
Trump’s campaign has expressed confidence in appealing the decision to the US Supreme Court. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the campaign, said, “We have full confidence that the US Supreme Court will quickly rule in our favor and finally put an end to these un-American lawsuits.”
While the ruling specifically impacts the state’s Republican primary scheduled for March 5, its implications could extend to the general election on November 5. Election forecasters categorize Colorado as safely Democratic, making it likely that Joe Biden would carry the state regardless of Trump’s eligibility.
Advocacy groups and anti-Trump voters, who have mounted several legal challenges under section 3 of the 14th Amendment, view the decision as a victory. This constitutional provision, enacted after the American Civil War, aimed to prevent former Confederates from returning to power.
Richard Friedman, a law professor at the University of Michigan, commented, “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 US Supreme Court upholds the Colorado decision, questions arise about whether the determination would be nationwide or applicable only to individual states.
The Colorado Supreme Court overturned a district court judge’s ruling, pausing its decision until January 4 to allow for appeals. The case was brought by a group of Colorado voters, supported by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (Crew).
Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee chairwoman, labeled the decision as “election interference” and expressed eagerness to fight for a victory. Meanwhile, a Colorado GOP candidate, Ramaswamy, pledged to withdraw from the primary, urging other candidates to do the same unless Trump is permitted on the ballot.
Similar lawsuits in Minnesota and New Hampshire were dismissed on procedural grounds, while a case in Michigan is awaiting a decision by the state’s supreme court.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
