Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies Donald Trump from State’s Presidential Primary Ballot

In a historic ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court has declared former President Donald Trump ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause, leading to his removal from the state’s presidential primary ballot. This decision marks the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been utilized to disqualify a presidential candidate. The court, consisting of justices appointed by Democratic governors, voted 4-3, stating that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The ruling stems from Trump’s alleged role in inciting the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, with the court setting the stage for a likely showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court to determine whether Trump can remain in the race.

Colorado’s highest court decision comes after a district court judge initially ruled that Trump incited an insurrection but could not be barred from the ballot. However, the Colorado Supreme Court overturned this decision, asserting that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment applies to the presidency. Trump’s attorneys plan to appeal the disqualification immediately to the U.S. Supreme Court. This ruling, unprecedented in its application of the insurrection clause, could have broader implications for Trump’s candidacy in other states, as courts and election officials may follow Colorado’s lead in excluding him from crucial states in the upcoming presidential election.