2024-02-19 03:34:56
Foto: Lev Radin | Shutterstock
Text: Hugo León
Donald Trump, the strongman of the American Republican Party, could miss the 2024 presidential elections due to a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, the northern country’s media reported this Wednesday.
That court removed Trump from the presidential ballot on Tuesday, citing a clause in the United States Constitution regarding those accused of insurrection. The decision came after a tight four-to-three vote, and rules that Trump “is not an eligible candidate” for participating in an insurrection, referring to the 2021 US Capitol riots.
This is the first time that the third section of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate, political analysts explained to international media.
The ruling overturned another Colorado judge who had ruled that such a ban did not extend to presidents because the Amendment did not explicitly mention that political figure.
But according to the judges, that ruling was not reached lightly. “We are aware of the magnitude and weight of the issues now before us,†they noted. They also said they were aware that their solemn duty was to apply the law without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction.
The consequences and reaction to failure
Former President Donald Trump’s team was categorical in criticizing what happened: his advisors said that such a decision is “completely wrong.”
For the Trump campaign team, this judicial process only seeks to “interfere” in the elections, removing the name of the candidate, “thus eliminating the right of Colorado voters to choose the candidate of their choice.”
The final ruling was suspended until January 4, 2024, so additional appeal processes are not ruled out. In fact, Trump’s team has already reported that it will appeal to the US Supreme Court, among other legal actions.
There are nine justices on the Supreme Court, six of whom are known conservatives, and three of them were appointed by Donald Trump himself during his term.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign spokesperson said in a statement that there is a “state of paranoia” among the leaders of the Democratic Party due to Trump’s results in the polls and the low level of approval of Biden’s performance. They fear, according to him, that American voters will vote overwhelmingly for Republicans.