Former President Donald Trump has taken his case to the US Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the Colorado ruling that disqualified him from the state's 2024 ballot under the 14th Amendment for inciting an insurrection. In their filing, Trump's lawyers argued that the Colorado Supreme Court's decision, if upheld, would be unprecedented, preventing voters from casting ballots for a major-party presidential candidate.
Trump's legal team outlined several reasons for the Supreme Court to reinstate him on the ballot. They contended that only Congress, not the courts, holds the authority to assess the eligibility of a presidential candidate. Additionally, they argued that as president, Trump was not an "officer" of the United States, a key factor in the constitutional prohibition against serving if engaged in insurrection.
The appeal comes after both the Colorado Republican Party and the challengers in the case urged the Supreme Court to intervene, and a swift ruling is anticipated due to the approaching election calendar. Colorado's primary is scheduled for March 5, with overseas ballot mailing set to begin on January 20.
Jena Griswold, Colorado's secretary of state, emphasized the need for a speedy resolution, urging the court to act "as expeditiously as possible." The Supreme Court's handling of this case, one among numerous challenges, will be closely watched, especially given its conservative majority.
Legal experts have varying opinions on the outcome, with some predicting a favorable ruling for Trump. The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, has rarely been utilized, and the Supreme Court's decision could have broader implications for interpretations of its provisions.