The Colorado Supreme Court issued a decisive ruling on Tuesday, declaring that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president, citing his involvement in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
This decision prohibits Trump from being listed on the Republican primary ballot in the state, and while it is expected to be contested in the U.S. Supreme Court, it sets a historic precedent as the first instance of a presidential candidate being deemed ineligible under a rarely invoked provision of the 14th Amendment.
The 4-3 ruling, which could potentially be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, relies on the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who have participated in “insurrection or rebellion” from holding federal office.
While the immediate impact is confined to Colorado’s March 5th primary, legal experts anticipate that the ruling may trigger similar legal challenges in other states, posing potential challenges to Trump’s candidacy nationwide.
Despite forecasts indicating that President Biden is likely to secure victory in Colorado regardless of Trump’s inclusion in the primary, the ruling could have broader consequences for the former president’s political ambitions.
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Trump, currently leading as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2024, expressed his intention to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he enjoys the support of three justices he appointed.
The Colorado court decided to postpone the implementation of the ruling until January 4th, 2024, to allow for the appeals process. The court’s majority justified their decision by pointing to Trump’s actions on January 6th, including a speech that allegedly incited violence at the Capitol, as disqualifying factors for holding office.
They acknowledged the gravity of the decision, stating, “We do not take this lightly, but we are bound to uphold the law without fear or favor.”
In response to the ruling, Trump’s campaign labeled it as “undemocratic” and declared their determination to pursue an appeal. The legal challenge was initiated by a group of Colorado voters, supported by the advocacy group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.