US Supreme Court rules Trump can’t be removed from ballot over Jan 6 Capitol riot
By Francis Ugwu
The United States, US, Supreme Court has unanimously sided with former President Donal Trump in his challenge to the state of Colorado’s attempt to kick him off the 2024 primary ballot.
All nine justices of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Trump in the judgement delivered on Monday.
The ruling will obviously impact the status of efforts in several other states to remove the likely GOP nominee from their respective ballots.
The court considered for the first time the meaning and reach of Article 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars former office holders who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office again.
Recall that challenges have been filed to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot in over 30 states.
One of the states, Colorado, had argued that Trump’s behavior leading to the January 6 Capitol riots amounted to an “insurrection,” and as a result, he should be removed from the state’s ballot.
However, the supreme Court ruled otherwise as it said: “We conclude that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency.”
Reacting to the ruling, Colorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued a statement Monday, saying, “The United States Supreme Court has ruled that states do not have the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for federal candidates.”
“In accordance with this decision, Donald Trump is an eligible candidate on Colorado’s 2024 Presidential Primary.”
Trump reacted to the ruling in a post on Truth Social, saying, “BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!”
