The Supreme Court of Colorado has ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible on constitutional grounds to appear on the primary presidential election ballot in 2024, a move without precedent.
The 4-3 ruling is the result of a lawsuit filed by left-of-center activist group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and two law firms representing six Colorado voters. CREW President Noah Bookbinder described the ruling as “not only historic and justified” but also “necessary to protect the future of democracy in our country.”
“Our Constitution clearly states that those who violate their oath by attacking our democracy are barred from serving in government,” he added.
The suit based its argument on Section Three of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states:
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
A similar suit pursued in Florida was struck down in September. They have also been thrown out in Arizona, Michigan, and Minnesota.
“Our independent review of the record in this case brings us to the same conclusion: President Trump incited and encouraged the use of violence and lawless action to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power,” the Supreme Court’s ruling read.
NOW – Trump: "Joe Biden is a threat to democracy."pic.twitter.com/WfgM4tgJzP
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“A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution,” the ruling’s text went on. “Because he is disqualified, it would be a wrongful act under the Election Code for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot.”
The ruling specified that Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold cannot list Trump on the ballot nor count write-in votes for him. Currently, the decision is on hold until Jan. 4 to allow for appeals against it.
The Colorado Supreme Court acknowledged the gravity of the case: “We are also cognizant that we travel in uncharted territory,” its judges said. “We do not reach these conclusions lightly. We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us.”
In his dissenting opinion, Colorado Chief Justice Brian Boatright argued that the provision cannot apply to Trump given that he has not been convicted of insurrection.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung blasted the ruling and implied a Supreme Court appeal was on its way.
“Unsurprisingly, the all-Democrat appointed Colorado Supreme Court has ruled against President Trump, supporting a Soros-funded, left-wing group’s scheme to interfere in an election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden by removing President Trump’s name from the ballot and eliminating the rights of Colorado voters to vote for the candidate of their choice … We have full confidence that the U.S. Supreme Court will quickly rule in our favor and finally put an end to these unAmerican lawsuits.”
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