Following a ruling by the state Supreme Court, Donald Trump is barred from running for president and must be removed from the Colorado ballot

Former President Donald Trump is prohibited from holding the office of president and cannot participate in Colorado’s primary election, this state’s Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.

The court delayed its decision until Jan. 4, pending an appeal to the US Supreme Court, but its decision portends an election year full of twists and turns and protracted court battles. Trump’s campaign said they would appeal.

The state justices concluded in a 4-3 decision that Trump was disqualified under Section Three of the 14th Amendment. The article prohibits those who have “committed insurrection or rebellion” after taking an oath in support of the Constitution from holding office. A group of plaintiffs, all eligible state voters who were eligible to vote in the Republican primary, challenged Trump’s eligibility to vote, citing his actions on January 6, 2021.

“We do not come to these conclusions lightly. We recognize the scope and seriousness of the issues now before us. “We also recognize our solemn obligation to apply the law without fear or favor and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions the law requires of us,” they wrote.

Read the Colorado Supreme Court’s opinion.

The court majority concluded that the January 6 attack on the Capitol constituted an insurrection, noting that it was “a concerted and public use of force or threat of force by a group of people to overthrow the government of the obstruct or impede the United States.” prevents them from taking the necessary steps. “To effect the peaceful transition of power in this country.” They also concluded that Trump was involved in this uprising, citing his behavior before and after the November 2020 election, as well as his speech on January 6 when he “literally encouraged his supporters to fight in the Capitol. “

The judges wrote: “It is not surprising that the crowd at the Ellipse responded to President Trump’s words with calls for violence.” After President Trump ordered his supporters to march to the Capitol, members of the crowd shouted: “[S]Torture the Capitol!’; ‘[I]Take the Capitol!’; and'[T]Take the Capitol!’”

“As our detailed review of the evidence shows, President Trump did more than incite the insurgency. Even as the Capitol siege was in full swing, he continued to support it, repeatedly calling on Vice President Pence not to do his constitutional duty and subpoena senators.
to convince them to stop counting the votes. These actions represented open, voluntary and direct participation in the uprising.”

The justices overturned a district court ruling that concluded the clause did not apply to the president. The state Supreme Court’s ruling applies only to Colorado, but if its opinion is upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, it is likely to affect voting decisions across the country.

There are other efforts to bar Trump from the election in other states, including Minnesota and Michigan, even as courts have refused to declare Trump disqualified.

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said in a statement: “It’s no surprise that the Democrat-appointed Supreme Court ruled against President Trump and upheld a Soros-funded left-wing group’s election meddling plan do not have.” of the President. of crooked Joe Biden by removing Trump’s name from the ballot and denying Colorado voters the right to vote for the candidate of their choice.”

The nine federal judges are already set to consider another follow-up case involving Trump and the scope of the president’s powers: whether he is immune from prosecution on election conspiracy charges related to the Jan. 6 attack.

One of the plaintiffs, Norma Anderson, former Republican majority leader in the Colorado House of Representatives and Senate, said in a statement: “My co-plaintiffs and I filed this lawsuit to continue to protect the right to free and fair elections to defend what is in our Constitution.” to protect and ensure that Colorado’s Republican primary voters vote only for qualified candidates. Today’s win does just that.”

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington brought the case together with the law firms Tierney Lawrence Stiles, KBN Law and Olson Grimsley Kawanabe Hinchcliff & Murray.

CREW President Noah Bookbinder said, “Our Constitution makes it clear that those who violate their oath of office by attacking our democracy are barred from serving in government.” It was an honor to represent the petitioners and we “We look forward to ensuring that this extremely important ruling stands.”

Depending on the timing of the appeal to the Supreme Court, the judgment may be delayed for a longer period.