Former President Donald Trump Faces Lawsuit Seeking to Block Him from 2024 Presidential Ballot in Colorado
Former President Donald Trump has suffered a setback in his attempt to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to prevent him from appearing on the 2024 presidential ballot in Colorado. The lawsuit is based on the 14th Amendment’s prohibition against insurrectionists holding public office.
Colorado District Judge Sarah Wallace rejected Trump’s motion to dismiss the case on free-speech grounds. This ruling is the first of several challenges Trump faces in this lawsuit, which was initiated by a liberal government watchdog group.
If the case reaches that stage, a trial to determine Trump’s eligibility is scheduled for October 30. Colorado election officials stress the importance of resolving the dispute before January 5, as this is the deadline for the ballot printing process for the March 5 Republican primary.
The 14th Amendment states that individuals who swear an oath to uphold the Constitution are disqualified from future office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion or if they have provided aid or comfort to insurrectionists. However, there is no clear method outlined in the Constitution for enforcing this ban, and it has only been applied twice since the late 1800s.
In a 22-page ruling, Judge Wallace stated that the lawsuit does not improperly restrict Trump’s rights to participate in the political process. She emphasized that it is in the best interest of the general public to ensure that only constitutionally qualified candidates are placed on the ballot. Additionally, Wallace highlighted the significance of resolving the question of Trump’s eligibility, as he is seeking the highest office in the country and the disqualification sought is based on allegations of insurrection against the government he aims to preside over.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and dismisses the challenges to his candidacy as meritless. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed the lawsuit in Colorado on behalf of a group of Republican and unaffiliated voters in the state. Similar cases are pending in Minnesota and Michigan, where different groups have filed lawsuits.
Donald Sherman, CREW’s chief counsel, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and said the group looks forward to presenting its case at trial.
The lawsuit names Trump and Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold as defendants. Griswold, a Democrat, has stated that she does not have a position on Trump’s eligibility and will comply with the judge’s final decision. However, she has informed the court that she believes Trump incited the insurrection, and she wants the judge to determine if the 14th Amendment’s insurrectionist ban can be applied through Colorado state law.
Legal scholars remain divided on how the 14th Amendment can be applied to Trump and how the ban would be implemented, given the ambiguities in the law. Many experts anticipate that the Supreme Court will ultimately weigh in on the matter with the 2024 election approaching.
As this story continues to unfold, additional details are expected to emerge.
Source: CNN