The United States Supreme Court will allow Donald Trump to appear on Colorado’s 2024 presidential primary ballot, overturning a lower court decision to disqualify him.
The U.S. Supreme Court overruled the Colorado Supreme Court in a 9-0 decision
The U.S. Supreme Court overruled the Colorado Supreme Court in a 9-0 decision on Monday, rejecting its claim that Trump should be barred from the Republican primary election under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who have “previously sworn an oath to support the Constitution” and have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding office.
During oral arguments in February, SCOTUS justices expressed concerns about allowing states to determine who is eligible for the presidency, providing a preview of their final decision. The decision, which determined that it is up to Congress to enforce the 14th Amendment, establishes a precedent that all states must follow.
Cases challenging Trump’s candidacy have been filed in several states
Maine disqualified Trump about one week after a Colorado court barred him from appearing on the state’s presidential primary ballot. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, issued the ruling, citing the 14th Amendment. “The U.S. Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government,” Bellows wrote in the 34-page decision, which was suspended until the Supreme Court ruled on the issue, according to The Associated Press.
In February, an Illinois circuit judge joined the chorus, ruling that Trump should not be eligible for federal office after investigating evidence of an insurrection. In that case, the judge acknowledged that the Supreme Court could overturn her decision.
Cases challenging Trump’s candidacy have been filed in several states. Following a group of voters’ arguments that the former president should be disqualified, the Michigan Supreme Court declined to reconsider a Court of Appeals decision that allowed Trump to remain on the primary ballot.
California’s Democratic secretary of state also declined to remove Trump from the ballot, despite calls from the state’s lieutenant governor.
A federal grand jury indicted Trump on four criminal counts in August in connection with the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, and other efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
According to the indictment, Trump was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy to violate rights.
Since leaving office, the former president has been charged in four separate criminal cases, all of which are currently pending trial.