In a significant victory for former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court delivered a sweeping ruling on Monday, prohibiting states from excluding him from the ballot over his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
The ruling, issued unanimously and without dissents, swiftly concluded a case with profound implications for the 2024 election.
The court overturned the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court, which had barred Trump from serving again as president under Section 3 of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. This provision prohibits individuals who previously held government positions but later “engaged in insurrection” from running for various offices.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court emphasized that states do not have the authority to determine the eligibility of presidential candidates or other federal office-seekers. Instead, it asserted that Congress is responsible for enforcing Section 3 against all federal officeholders and candidates.
Consequently, the decision applies to all states, not just Colorado, while states retain the power to enforce Section 3 for candidates running for state offices.
The court’s decision focused solely on the legal question of congressional authority, avoiding any analysis of whether Trump’s actions constituted an insurrection.
The timing of the ruling, just one day before the Colorado primary, adds to its significance.
Following the ruling, Trump celebrated the outcome on his social media platform, declaring it a “Big win for America!!!”
The decision not only ensures Trump’s presence on the Colorado ballot but also brings an end to similar cases in other states, including Maine and Illinois, which had followed Colorado’s lead. Both rulings had been temporarily suspended pending the Supreme Court’s decision.
In response to the ruling, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold acknowledged the court’s decision and affirmed that Trump is an eligible candidate in Colorado’s 2024 Presidential Primary.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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