The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the potential disqualification of former President Donald Trump from the Colorado ballot due to his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. This development could have significant implications for the 2024 presidential election.
The Supreme Court’s decision to take up the matter of Trump’s potential disqualification from the primary ballot in Colorado was reported by The Hill. The case is set to be expedited, with oral arguments scheduled for Feb. 8 and a decision expected soon after. If the court rules in favor of disqualifying Trump, it could lead to his exclusion from the ballots in several states across the country.
While challenges to Trump’s eligibility under the 14th Amendment have been filed across the nation, only Colorado and Maine have taken the extraordinary step of removing Trump from the primary ballot. Trump’s political future now rests in the hands of the court, which includes three justices appointed by Trump. It is worth noting that the court has never definitively addressed the meaning of the 14th Amendment’s insurrection ban.
Trump’s legal team has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that they look forward to a fair hearing to argue against the 14th Amendment-based decision to remove Trump’s name from the 2024 ballot in Colorado.
This decision by the Supreme Court comes after Trump’s appeal to retain his position on the Colorado primary ballot was rejected by the Colorado State Supreme Court. The state court ruled that Trump was ineligible due to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Additionally, Trump’s ballot appearance has been challenged by Massachusetts voters, who are seeking to enforce the 14th Amendment to block Trump from appearing on the state’s primary and general election ballot.
Despite these challenges, Trump remains the leading contender in the Republican primary race. In a recent poll, Trump received 42% of the vote in a hypothetical matchup against Joe Biden, who received 41% of the vote. However, it is important to note that 11% of voters selected ‘Someone Else’ and 5% selected ‘Don’t Know.’
The Supreme Court’s review of Trump’s potential disqualification from the Colorado ballot is a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the former president. The court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for the 2024 presidential election and will undoubtedly be closely watched by political observers on both sides of the aisle.
