TL/DR –
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause, removing him from the state’s presidential primary ballot. The court found the Jan. 6, 2021, riot was an insurrection, that Trump “engaged in” an insurrection, and that his speech “inciting the crowd” before the riot was “not protected by the First Amendment.” The court also ruled that Colorado law allows voters to challenge Trump’s eligibility under the insurrectionist clause, which can be enforced without action from Congress and applies to the presidency.
Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies Trump From 2024 Ballot
According to the Colorado Supreme Court, Donald Trump is ineligible for presidency under the insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution, ruling him out of the state’s primary ballot.
The court’s decision includes several key findings:
- The Jan. 6, 2021, riot qualified as an insurrection
- Trump “engaged in” the insurrection
- Trump’s speech “inciting crowd” before the riot was “not protected by First Amendment”
- Colorado voters can challenge Trump’s eligibility under the insurrectionist clause
- The clause can be enforced without Congressional action
- The Insurrectionist clause applies to the presidency
The court’s ruling was not made lightly. “We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us…we must apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction,” wrote the majority.
The court’s decision is on hold until Jan. 4, or until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the case, while Colorado officials indicate the issue must be resolved by Jan. 5, the deadline for printing its presidential primary ballots.
Trump lost Colorado by 13 percentage points during the 2020 election.
—
Read More US Political News