On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot prevent former President Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot, overturning a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court.
The Colorado court had ruled that Trump was ineligible for the presidency due to his conduct surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, citing the rarely invoked Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, known as the insurrection clause.
The U.S. Supreme Court, however, held that only Congress has the authority to enforce the insurrection clause. The ruling resolves challenges to Trump’s eligibility in several other states and comes just ahead of Super Tuesday, when voters in 15 states will cast their ballots for the Republican presidential nomination.
Trump (Credits: The New York Times)
In a 13-page unsigned opinion, the court stated, “Responsibility for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates rests with Congress and not the states.
The judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court therefore cannot stand.” Justice Amy Coney Barrett noted that all nine justices agreed on the outcome, emphasizing that this was the key takeaway.
Trump welcomed the decision, describing it as “very important” and “well crafted,” and suggesting it would help unify the country. However, critics of the ruling argue that it fails to hold Trump accountable for his alleged role in inciting the January 6th insurrection.
Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, expressed disappointment, stating that the Supreme Court had missed an opportunity to address Trump’s involvement in the insurrection.
The ruling ensures that Trump will be able to participate in the 2024 presidential race, a decision that is likely to have significant implications for the Republican Party and the broader political landscape.
