The NPR Politics Podcast Colo. Supreme Court Knocks Trump Off Ballot — What's Next?
Dec 20, 2023
A Colorado Supreme Court ruling has disqualified a former president from the ballot, invoking the Fourteenth Amendment due to insurrection allegations stemming from the January 6th riots. Legal and political ramifications unfold, with appeals on the horizon that may still permit his candidacy. Reactions from Trump's camp frame the ruling as a political attack, while rival Republicans express mixed sentiments. The case highlights intense partisan divides and raises questions about the upcoming primaries.
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Historic Ruling
- The Colorado Supreme Court's decision to bar Trump from the ballot is historic, marking the first time a presidential candidate has been disqualified under the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause.
- This ruling has significant implications for the 2024 election, despite Trump's previous losses in Colorado.
Lawsuit Background
- The lawsuit, initiated by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, aimed to disqualify Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, citing his role in the January 6th Capitol attack.
- A lower court initially agreed Trump engaged in insurrection but didn't believe the clause applied to the presidency; this appeal overturns that finding.
Majority Opinion
- Colorado's Supreme Court ruled that Trump's actions leading up to and on January 6th constitute engaging in insurrection, thus disqualifying him.
- This decision addresses key legal questions surrounding the definition of insurrection and the applicability of the First Amendment to Trump's speech.