In a decision that has ignited a fierce backlash from Republicans and allies of former President Donald Trump, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Trump is ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause. The court’s ruling removes Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot, setting the stage for a potential showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court to determine whether the GOP front-runner can remain in the race.
The divided court’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from Republican politicians, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who called it “garbage” and predicted an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele accused the United States of relinquishing its role in promoting democracy abroad, while Eric Trump, the former president’s son, claimed that the decision would bolster his father’s already strong poll numbers.
Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel condemned the court’s ruling as “election interference,” vowing to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas urged the highest court to uphold the right of American citizens to vote for any candidate they choose, emphasizing the importance of democracy.
Critics of the decision argue that Trump has not been found guilty of any crime, let alone convicted of insurrection. Actor James Woods pointed out this discrepancy, while GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina decried the ruling as a mockery of the political system and pledged to introduce a bill redirecting constitutional challenges to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The decision also sparked controversy within the Republican primary race for the 2024 presidential election. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican contender, labeled the ruling as un-American and promised to withdraw his name from the Colorado primary ballot unless Trump was reinstated. The Colorado Republican Party threatened to withdraw from the primary altogether if the decision stood.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another GOP contender, criticized the Left for invoking democracy to justify abusing power and removing a candidate from the ballot on questionable legal grounds. Meanwhile, former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard accused Democratic leaders of losing faith in democracy.
The court’s ruling, which utilizes Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to disqualify a presidential candidate, marks a historic first. Critics argue that this decision represents a major escalation of the lawfare phenomenon since Trump’s election in 2016.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision will be stayed until January 4, or until the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on the case. Colorado officials have emphasized the need for a resolution by January 5, as it is the deadline for the state to print its presidential primary ballots.
While the court claims to have reached its conclusion without bias and based on the law, the decision has ignited a fierce debate over the interpretation of constitutional provisions and the role of the judiciary in the political process.
This article was written by Bradford Betz, a digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and more. Stay informed with the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and other political content.
Sources:
– The Associated Press
