The recent court ruling in Colorado has sparked significant implications for Donald Trump’s potential run for the presidency in 2024. The majority of justices on Colorado’s top court have determined that Trump is ineligible as a candidate in the state’s primary contest due to his actions leading up to the January 6 riot. This decision has been made based on a little-known section of the US Constitution that disqualifies individuals who engage in insurrection from running for federal office.
The ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court could potentially reshape the 2024 race, as Trump is currently the favorite to become the Republican nominee and face Democratic President Joe Biden in the general election. The court’s decision was based on “clear and convincing evidence” that Trump engaged in insurrection, making him disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This section, which dates back to the post-Civil War era, was intended to prevent individuals who supported the secession of southern states from holding government positions.
It is worth noting that this is the first time Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been invoked to disqualify a presidential candidate. The ruling was split, with a 4-3 decision, indicating that three judges on the court believed there was no legal basis to exclude Trump from the ballot. However, the majority opinion held that Trump’s actions leading up to the January 6 riot constituted insurrection.
Despite this ruling, Trump can still run in other Republican primaries across different states. Currently, he is far ahead of his Republican rivals, and winning the nomination without competing in Colorado is still possible. Furthermore, Trump’s loss in Colorado to Joe Biden in the 2020 election by a wide margin suggests that winning the state may not be crucial for his chances of winning the overall election.
However, the implications of this ruling extend beyond Colorado. Numerous other states have similar lawsuits attempting to bar Trump from running, and the decision in Colorado could potentially influence the outcome of those cases. If Trump were prevented from running in a state where he and Biden are in a close race, it could have a significant impact on the overall presidential race, which is expected to be closely fought.
The Trump campaign has already announced its intention to appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court, the highest court in the country. The Supreme Court will have to decide whether to take up the case, and the timing of their decision remains unclear. However, as long as Trump’s team has filed an appeal by January 4, his name will remain on the ballot in Colorado until the Supreme Court makes its ruling.
The Supreme Court’s decision will carry immense scrutiny, as it could potentially have a national impact and influence lawsuits taking place in other states. The court’s current composition, which has shifted to a more conservative stance in recent years with the appointment of three justices by President Trump, adds another layer of significance to their ruling.
There are two key legal issues at hand. The first is whether Trump’s actions leading up to the storming of the US Capitol can be classified as insurrection. The second issue is whether the individuals that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment aims to bar from office should include the president. A lower court in Colorado had previously ruled that Trump engaged in insurrection, but that the law did not apply to the presidency. The recent ruling disagreed, leading to divided opinions among top legal scholars regarding the application of the law to Trump’s case.
Trump’s campaign asserts that this ruling is yet another example of the justice system being used to persecute their candidate. Spokesman Steven Cheung has argued that the voters in Colorado are being denied their right to choose the candidate they want to represent them. Surprisingly, even some of Trump’s political opponents, like Republican Chris Christie, who is running against him, have described the ruling as undemocratic but believe that he should be prevented from becoming president.
It is worth noting that Trump has faced a plethora of legal challenges since leaving office in 2021, including several criminal indictments. However, these legal issues have seemingly done little to diminish his popularity, and in fact, they have energized his supporters, further solidifying his position within the Republican race for the presidency.
In conclusion, the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling has significant implications for Trump’s potential presidential run in 2024. While it only applies to Colorado, it could influence similar lawsuits in other states. Trump’s ability to secure the Republican nomination without Colorado remains viable, but the outcome of this ruling may play a critical role in a closely contested general election. The appeal to the US Supreme Court adds another layer of uncertainty, as its decision could have national implications. As the legal battle continues, all eyes will be on whether Trump can overcome this obstacle and continue his pursuit of the presidency.
