The Colorado Supreme Court, in a closely contested 4-3 decision, has made the groundbreaking move to bar former President Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s 2024 presidential ballot. This development, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, hinges on allegations of Trump’s involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. The ruling is currently on hold until January 4, pending an appeal.
At the heart of this decision is Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which disqualifies individuals from holding public office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion. The court has interpreted this to mean that including Trump as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot would violate the Election Code.
The court’s majority statement highlighted that Trump is deemed disqualified from the presidency under this constitutional provision. In response, Trump’s campaign team announced plans to appeal the decision, labeling it as deeply flawed and undemocratic. They expressed a belief in a favorable outcome from the U.S. Supreme Court and criticized the legal actions against Trump as unAmerican.
Despite the campaign’s response, the Colorado Supreme Court stood firm on its decision, emphasizing the substantial evidence of Trump’s alleged role in the January 6 events, which they classify as an insurrection. This classification falls under the Fourteenth Amendment’s scope, thus supporting the rationale for Trump’s disqualification.
The court acknowledged the seriousness of their ruling, stating their commitment to impartial law application, uninfluenced by public opinion. They underlined the importance of their duty to enforce the law fairly and without bias.
This controversial ruling has significant implications, bringing intense focus to the upcoming appeal and its potential impact on the political scene.