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The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible for the U.S. presidency due to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol. The decision, which applies only to the Colorado primary ballot, cited the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals engaged in insurrection from holding office. Trump's campaign announced plans to appeal the ruling, while the court placed its decision on hold until January 4, anticipating a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The court's 4-3 majority held that Trump is disqualified under Section Three of the 14th Amendment and that listing him as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot would be a wrongful act under the Election Code. The ruling acknowledged the weight of the questions at hand and emphasized the court's duty to apply the law without being swayed by public reaction.
This marks the first successful invocation of the 14th Amendment in a legal action across the country related to the January 6 assault. The decision could have broader implications for Trump's political future and sets the stage for potential legal battles in other states.
Trump's campaign responded by stating it would swiftly file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and a request for a stay of the decision. The campaign criticized the Colorado court as a "left-wing group's scheme" and accused the Democrat Party of interference in an election.
The ruling received both praise and criticism, with supporters viewing it as a significant moment for democracy and critics characterizing it as an election interference tactic. The legal debate over Trump's eligibility for future office continues amid ongoing legal actions across the country.
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