Former President Donald Trump has turned to the U.S. Supreme Court in an attempt to regain his spot on the Republican 2024 primary ballot in Colorado. The appeal has been filed and is awaiting official docketing by the court. Trump’s lawyers have argued that the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling, which overturned a lower court decision allowing Trump to appear on the ballot, should be reversed.
The Colorado Supreme Court, in a 4-3 vote, cited Trump’s alleged role in inciting violence during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack as the reason for their decision. They claimed that Trump “incited and encouraged” the use of violence to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. Trump’s lawyers are now challenging this ruling, questioning whether the president is subject to disqualification under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, also known as the insurrection clause.
The appeal also raises the issue of whether Section 3 is “self-executing” and whether states have the authority to remove candidates from the ballot without congressional action. Trump’s legal team argues that individual states should not have the power to enforce Section 3, as it would create confusion among voters.
This is not the only state where Trump’s eligibility to run for a second presidential term has been challenged. Maine’s Republican primary ballot has also removed him due to his involvement in the Capitol attack. Trump has appealed this decision as well, and the case is now heading to Maine’s Supreme Court.
The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to decide whether it will take up Trump’s cases. Meanwhile, former Colorado state Rep. Dave Williams, chair of the state Republican Party, has called the situation a “constitutional crisis.” He believes that the Supreme Court’s intervention is necessary to protect everyone’s right to vote for their preferred candidate.
As Trump awaits a decision from the Supreme Court, the possibility of other states following Colorado and Maine’s lead in banning him from their primary ballots looms. Williams warns against tolerating such actions, emphasizing the importance of the Supreme Court’s timely intervention.
It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court will expedite the review of Trump’s appeals and ultimately restore his name on the ballots. The outcome of these cases could have significant implications for Trump’s political future and the broader Republican primary landscape.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Digital, providing the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and other political content.
