The U.S. Supreme Court is gearing up for a historic decision that could shape the 2024 presidential race, contemplating whether to hear an appeal from former President Donald Trump, who faced a roadblock in Colorado’s bid to prevent him from running, reports Newsweek on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
In a December 19 ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court declared that Trump breached the 14th Amendment, barring individuals involved in insurrection from holding federal office. The court linked Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, when he incited a mob to storm the U.S. Capitol, to an insurrection, disqualifying him from a potential 2024 run.
This ruling dealt a significant blow to Trump’s political aspirations, especially given Colorado’s pivotal role as a swing state in the 2024 election.
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Trump, despite narrowly winning Colorado in 2016, lost it to President Joe Biden in 2020. Despite this setback, current polls show Trump as the top choice among Republican voters, eager for a second term.
The legal battle ensued as the Colorado Republican Party and Trump’s campaign appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the 14th Amendment doesn’t pertain to the presidency and only Congress can enforce it. They also claimed the Colorado court violated Trump’s First Amendment rights.
On the opposing side, Colorado voters and the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) urged the Supreme Court to uphold the Colorado ruling, asserting that Trump’s candidacy would undermine democracy and violate the 14th Amendment enacted after the Civil War.
The Supreme Court hasn’t indicated whether it will take up the case yet, a decision with potentially far-reaching consequences. They could grant or deny the appeal, or delay it until later. If the case is heard, a ruling might come by June, or it could be deferred until after the election.
Should the court decline, the Colorado ruling would stand, effectively barring Trump from running in the state. The case’s national significance lies in questioning the 14th Amendment, court authority, and the future of American democracy.
As the Supreme Court mulls over this critical decision, all eyes are on the justices, who hold the fate of one of the most contentious and impactful cases of our time.
