A Denver Court Judge, Sarah Wallace, has made it clear that former President Donald Trump won’t be barred from running in the 2024 presidential race. This decision comes after a lawsuit brought by six GOP and independent voters, with backing from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, claimed that Trump’s words incited violence.
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During the trial, Judge Wallace expressed her intention to continue examining more evidence, particularly whether Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, was protected by the First Amendment. Some voters say it incited violence, while Trump supporters argue he mentioned peacefully protesting at the Capitol.
In his defense, Trump called witnesses like Kash Patel and Katrina Pierson, who played a role in organizing the January 6 rally.
This legal battle in Colorado mirrors a similar challenge in Minnesota, where a group sought to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot. The Minnesota Supreme Court was set to hear arguments on this issue.
The Colorado voters aim to use the 14th Amendment to disqualify Trump from running for office, citing his alleged involvement in incitement. However, experts doubt the likelihood of success due to the amendment’s limited use in the past.
The trial featured testimony from a legal expert who argued that Trump should be disqualified under the 14th Amendment. In contrast, Trump’s witnesses claimed he didn’t intend to incite violence and had fulfilled his duties. Trump’s lawyer also argued that there was no evidence of incitement, citing First Amendment protection.
Before the trial, Trump’s lawyer requested a directed verdict to remove him from the case, but Judge Wallace decided to proceed with a thorough examination of all evidence and arguments.
