The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously sided with former President Trump in his challenge to Colorado’s attempt to exclude him from the 2024 primary ballot.
The high court ruled in favor of Mr. Trump in the case, which could affect efforts in several other states to remove potential Republican candidates from their respective ballots. Become.
For the first time, the court considered the meaning and scope of Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits former officials “involved in rebellion” from holding public office again. More than 30 states have filed challenges to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot.
“We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or seeking state office. However, states are constitutionally entitled to “There is no authority to enforce Article 3,” the court wrote.
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Colorado has determined that President Trump’s actions related to 2020 election interference, which culminated in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, amounted to an “insurrection” and should be removed from the state’s ballot. he claimed.
During more than two hours of vigorous and often tense arguments last month, the nine justices asked tough questions of both sides. president or presidential candidate It is exempted from constitutional provisions adopted after the Civil War.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh spoke for his colleagues, saying they faced “difficult questions.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump points at a supporter at the end of a campaign rally at Atkinson Country Club on January 16, 2024 in Atkinson, New Hampshire. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“When you look at Section 3, the word insurrection jumps out at you,” Kavanaugh said. “And the question is, what does that mean? How do we define it? Who decides? Who decides whether someone was involved in it?”
Kavanaugh said the court considered these issues in its 1869 decision, known as the Griffin case, and that an act of Congress was required to enforce the 14th Amendment’s ban on insurrectionists holding federal office. He pointed out that it was determined that there was.
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“These are difficult questions. If you look closely at Section 5 of the 14th Amendment, you see that Congress has a major role here,” Kavanaugh said. “I think what’s different is the process, the definition, who decides the questions. When you look at Section 3, it really hits home.”
Chief Justice John Roberts asked Colorado attorney Jason Murray about the “consequences” of the state’s position.
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“What are you going to do about the consequences of your position? There will be disqualification proceedings on the other side, and some will be successful in very fast order. No matter who the Democrats are, a significant number of states will You’re going to say quit.’ Ballots,” he said. “Then a small number of states will decide the election. That’s a pretty serious consequence.”
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Justice Samuel Alito pressured Murray to ‘work on’ ”Some people see inconsistencies in decisions between states as a result of the arguments you are advancing. ”
“Different states would disqualify candidates,” Alito said. “But we’re not getting a lot of cooperation from you to make sure this doesn’t get out of hand.”
