Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams appeared on Fox & Friends Weekend to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s Trump ballot case. Over two dozen states have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, urging them to keep former President Trump on the Colorado Republican presidential ballot. They warn that failing to do so could throw the 2024 presidential election “into chaos.” The attorneys general of Indiana, West Virginia, and 25 other states argue that the move by the Colorado Supreme Court to declare Trump an “insurrectionist” under the Fourteenth Amendment has consequences that reach far beyond Colorado.
The Supreme Court has set a January 18 deadline for similar briefs and will hear arguments on February 8. In the meantime, they have issued an administrative stay ordering the Colorado Secretary of State to put Trump’s name on the GOP primary ballot until the case is decided.
The state court ruled that Trump engaged in an insurrection for his role in the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. The Fourteenth Amendment, adopted in 1868 after the Civil War, prohibits individuals who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office. The states argue that this ruling threatens to disrupt the 2024 election and that voters who support Trump cannot know if he will ultimately be excluded from the ballot in their state or others.
They also criticize the court’s decision on what constitutes an insurrection, calling it “standardless and vague.” They argue that Trump was denied due process, including the opportunity to call witnesses and engage in the discovery process. The states warn that if the Colorado decision stands, it will harm confidence in the integrity of the electoral process, leading many Americans to believe that partisan actors are attempting to take away their voting power.
The brief emphasizes the need for immediate action, stating that the court “should not let the uncertainty persist.” They warn that additional confusion could arise if more states remove Trump from the ballot as the primaries and caucuses approach. They argue that voters need an answer in time to make an informed decision before casting their ballots.
Furthermore, the states raise concerns about potential disqualifications in the future, questioning whether a president could be prevented from running for re-election due to a wartime mistake. They urge the Supreme Court to prevent these “strange, far-reaching, and injurious results” from spiraling out of control.
Finally, the brief asserts that the decision of who is qualified to serve as president lies with the voters, not the courts. They argue that if the voters find Trump qualified and Congress agrees, then the Constitution does not allow the judiciary to second-guess that decision. They highlight that Congress has the sole and final authority to determine whether a president can continue to serve.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on whether Trump will be banned from the Colorado ballot in the 2024 presidential election has sparked nationwide interest and concern. With over two dozen states urging the court to keep Trump on the ballot, the implications of this case extend far beyond Colorado. The ruling will have significant consequences for the integrity of the electoral process and the power of voters to choose their preferred candidate for the presidency.
