In a groundbreaking decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump is ineligible for the US presidency due to his involvement in the January 2021 assault on the Capitol. The court invoked the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals engaged in insurrection from holding office. The ruling, applicable only to the Colorado primary ballot, is the first successful use of the 14th Amendment in a legal action against Trump.
The court’s decision sparked immediate condemnation from Republicans, and Trump’s campaign has announced its intention to appeal the ruling. The Colorado high court, in a 4-3 majority, emphasized that their conclusions were reached with the weight of the law, applying the 14th Amendment to disqualify Trump from the presidency.
The legal action was initiated by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and the court’s ruling, while limited to Colorado, could have broader implications as multiple 14th Amendment lawsuits against Trump unfold nationwide. The court’s decision is expected to be appealed to the US Supreme Court, setting the stage for a potential landmark legal battle over Trump’s eligibility for future political office.
The ruling comes amid ongoing legal challenges and investigations into Trump’s alleged role in the 2020 election and the events leading up to the Capitol assault. The former president’s political future remains a subject of intense debate, with a vocal grassroots movement continuing to support him despite growing divisions within the Republican Party.
