Sarah Anderson
Jan 19, 2024 - 12:15

Trump urges US Supreme Court to reverse Colorado ballot disqualification

Trump's lawyers ask Supreme Court to reverse decision disqualifying him from Colorado primary ballot, citing 14th Amendment. Hearing set for Feb. 8.

Donald Trump's legal team is calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision that disqualified him from the Colorado Republican primary ballot. They argue that the 14th Amendment, which was cited in the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling, does not apply to presidents and that the question of presidential eligibility is reserved to Congress. They also claim that Trump did not participate in an insurrection.

The justices have scheduled oral arguments for February 8, and Trump's lawyers are urging the court to swiftly put an end to the efforts to disqualify him from state ballots. They note that similar efforts are underway in more than 30 states.

The case stems from the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, with six conservative Republican or independent voters in Colorado challenging Trump's eligibility to run for office based on his actions before the attack. The Colorado ruling marked the first time that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was used to find a presidential candidate ineligible.

This case is part of a wider effort to disqualify Trump from state ballots under the 14th Amendment, and the Supreme Court's ruling may shape the outcome of that drive. Trump also faces criminal charges in two cases related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election outcome.

The 14th Amendment was ratified in the aftermath of the American Civil War, and the Capitol rampage was a bid to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election victory over Trump. The plaintiffs in the Colorado case argue that Trump's intentional actions meet the legal definition of insurrection under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

The outcome of this case will have significant implications for Trump's eligibility to run for office and the broader efforts to disqualify him from state ballots. The Supreme Court's ruling will be closely watched as the legal battle continues.