Trump Banned From Appearing On Colorado Ballot Due To ‘Supporting’ Jan. 6 Insurrection, State Supreme Court Rules

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president in their state due to the insurrection he stoked on January 6, 2021. 

This was decided based on the four-to-three ruling that rested on interpreting the 14th Amendment. It is most likely that the issue will go to the U.S. Supreme Court to decide if Trump will be eligible to hold public office. 

Colorado ruled that Trump will not be on the state’s presidential ballot during the elections next year, but this ruling will not take effect until January 4, 2024. Additionally, the primary ballot for the state must be certified by January 5, 2024. 

The Colorado majority opinion stated, “We do not reach these conclusions lightly. We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us. We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach.”

They added, “President Trump did not merely incite the insurrection. Even when the siege on the Capitol was fully underway, he continued to support it. These actions constituted overt, voluntary, and direct participation in the insurrection.”

This is the first court to have sided with voters and activists who have filed multiple lawsuits against Trump, claiming that he should be barred from office due to the “insurrection clause” under the 14th Amendment. This clause specifically states that if a person “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” after they took an oath to support the Consitution, they cannot hold any public office. 

This decision reverses a previous ruling in Denver that found Trump could remain on the ballot because of the ambiguity of the Consitution, even though he did engage in insurrection. 

Minutes after Colorado’s ruling, Trump shared that he will appeal to the Supreme Court. “The Colorado Supreme Court issued a completely flawed decision tonight and we will swiftly file an appeal to the United States Supreme Court and a concurrent request for a stay of this deeply undemocratic decision,” one of Trump’s spokesmen for the campaign stated.  “We have full confidence that the U.S. Supreme Court will quickly rule in our favor and finally put an end to these unAmerican lawsuits.”

This case is just one of dozens, as many states are challenging his eligibility to run for president. 

For his part, Trump is making light of his legal troubles – even selling an NFT of his mugshot with the chance to win a piece of the suit he wore in the photo.