In a historic decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the state's presidential election ballot in 2024, marking the first instance in U.S. history where a presidential candidate has been deemed ineligible under the constitutional provision barring individuals engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" from holding office.

The court's ruling, based on Trump's role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, specifically impacts the state's March 5 Republican primary. However, it is anticipated to influence Trump's eligibility for the general election on November 5. Despite Colorado being considered safely Democratic, the decision sends a significant message about accountability for actions that threaten democratic institutions.

The case, brought by Colorado voters with support from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, argued that Trump should be disqualified for inciting the Capitol attack in an attempt to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power to President Joe Biden after the 2020 election.

Trump's campaign swiftly denounced the ruling as "flawed" and "undemocratic," vowing to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The campaign contends that challenges under the 14th Amendment are an effort to undermine voters' choices and denies the courts the authority to remove Trump from the ballot.

The Colorado court's decision contradicts a previous ruling by a lower court judge who found that, while Trump incited violence, as president, he did not qualify as an "officer of the United States" subject to disqualification under the 14th Amendment.

Trump's legal defense argued that the Capitol riot did not meet the threshold for insurrection, and his remarks were protected by free speech. Advocates, aiming to use the case for a broader disqualification effort, see potential for the matter to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where a conservative majority, including three Trump appointees, could shape the final outcome. The court has stayed the decision until January 4, 2024, allowing time for appeals.CREW President Noah Bookbinder emphasized the historic nature of the ruling, asserting that it is necessary to safeguard the future of democracy in the United States.

In a historic decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the state's presidential election ballot in 2024, marking the first instance in U.S. history where a presidential candidate has been deemed ineligible under the constitutional provision barring individuals engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" from holding office.

The court's ruling, based on Trump's role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, specifically impacts the state's March 5 Republican primary. However, it is anticipated to influence Trump's eligibility for the general election on November 5. Despite Colorado being considered safely Democratic, the decision sends a significant message about accountability for actions that threaten democratic institutions.

The case, brought by Colorado voters with support from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, argued that Trump should be disqualified for inciting the Capitol attack in an attempt to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power to President Joe Biden after the 2020 election.

Trump's campaign swiftly denounced the ruling as "flawed" and "undemocratic," vowing to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The campaign contends that challenges under the 14th Amendment are an effort to undermine voters' choices and denies the courts the authority to remove Trump from the ballot.

The Colorado court's decision contradicts a previous ruling by a lower court judge who found that, while Trump incited violence, as president, he did not qualify as an "officer of the United States" subject to disqualification under the 14th Amendment.

Trump's legal defense argued that the Capitol riot did not meet the threshold for insurrection, and his remarks were protected by free speech. Advocates, aiming to use the case for a broader disqualification effort, see potential for the matter to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where a conservative majority, including three Trump appointees, could shape the final outcome. The court has stayed the decision until January 4, 2024, allowing time for appeals.CREW President Noah Bookbinder emphasized the historic nature of the ruling, asserting that it is necessary to safeguard the future of democracy in the United States.