WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court on Monday removed a potential hurdle to former president Donald Trump’s bid to recapture the White House, unanimously dismissing a state court ruling that could have barred him from the ballot for engaging in insurrection.
The US Supreme Court unanimously struck down an attempt by Colorado to remove former president Donald Trump from the Republican presidential primary ballot for allegedly engaging in insurrection.
The ruling stated, “The judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court therefore cannot stand. All nine Members of the Court agree with that result.”
It was the most consequential election case heard by the court since it stopped the Florida vote recount in 2000 with Republican George W. Bush narrowly leading Democrat Al Gore.
The question before the court was whether Trump was ineligible to appear on the Republican presidential primary ballot in Colorado because he allegedly engaged in an insurrection — the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.
In a 9-0 decision, the court said “the judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court… cannot stand,” meaning Donald Trump, the Republican White House frontrunner, can appear on the state’s primary ballot. “All nine Members of the Court agree with that result,” they added.
Following the court’s decision, Trump celebrated the outcome as a “big win” for the United States, posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, “BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!”
US Supreme Court’s Judgement
Trump’s presence on the ballot for president in Colorado has been reinstated, with the court dismissing claims linking him to the Capitol riots in 2021.
The former president, who is actively seeking re-election and is considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, can now continue his campaign efforts unimpeded.
Trump’s primary challenger for the Republican nomination, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, remains his sole competitor as he vies to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the upcoming November US election.
The court’s decision highlighted the legal parameters surrounding the 14th Amendment’s Section 3, which prohibits individuals who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding office. However, it affirmed that states retain the authority to disqualify candidates for state office based on such criteria.
