US' Colorado Supreme Court disqualifies Trump from 2024 Presidential ballot

Trump disqualified: The Colorado Supreme Court ruled to disqualify former President Donald Trump from appearing on the state's presidential election ballot in 2024, as per reports from media agencies on Tuesday, December 19. This never-before-seen move marks the first instance in the US history that a presidential candidate has been deemed ineligible for the White House under a rarely-used provision of the US Constitution known as the 'insurrection clause’.

Following the decision, Trump reacted, calling the Colorado court decision "a Soros-funded, left-wing group's scheme to interfere in an election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden."

The court's ruling originates from Trump's alleged involvement in instigating the violent attack on the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021. Citing the constitutional clause barring officials engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" from holding office, the court found Trump's actions during the Capitol riot as grounds for his disqualification.

While this decision specifically affects Trump's participation in the state's March 5 Republican primary, its implications are likely to extend to the general election scheduled for November 5. Nonetheless, nonpartisan election forecasters indicate Colorado as a safe Democratic stronghold, diminishing the potential impact of Trump's disqualification on the state's electoral outcome, with President Joe Biden anticipated to secure victory irrespective of Trump's candidacy.

The case against Trump was brought forth by a coalition of Colorado voters, supported by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Their argument centred on Trump's alleged incitement of his supporters to attack the Capitol, an effort perceived as obstructing the transfer of presidential power to Biden following the 2020 election.

Reacting to the court's decision, Trump's campaign swiftly labelled it as "flawed" and "undemocratic," announcing plans to appeal the ruling to the United States Supreme Court. The campaign vehemently opposed the use of the 14th Amendment challenges, denouncing them as a ploy to disenfranchise millions of voters who support Trump's candidacy.

Trump's legal team contended that his remarks to supporters during the Capitol unrest were protected under free speech rights, dismissing the severity of the riot as not serious enough to be classified as an insurrection. They further argued against the court's authority to bar Trump from the ballot.

This decision is being hailed as a triumph for advocacy groups and anti-Trump factions, representing a significant legal setback for Trump's candidacy. It also rekindles efforts for a broader disqualification initiative under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, potentially leading to a review by the U.S. Supreme Court, which presently holds a conservative majority, including three justices appointed during Trump's presidency.

The Colorado court's ruling stipulates a stay until January 4, 2024, to facilitate potential appeals and further legal proceedings in this unprecedented electoral saga. Noah Bookbinder, President of CREW, hailed the decision as historic, justifiable, and imperative to safeguard the future of democracy in the United States.

"The court's decision today affirms what our clients alleged in this lawsuit: that Donald Trump is an insurrectionist who disqualified himself from office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment based on his role in the January 6th attack on the Capitol, and that Secretary Griswold must keep him off of Colorado's primary ballot. It is not only historic and justified, but is necessary to protect the future of democracy in our country," said Bookbinder.