Us Supreme Court Rules In Favour Of Donald Trump, Says He Can’t Be Kicked Off Ballot
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that states cannot keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot for his activities leading up to the January 6 Capitol attack, ending a lawsuit with major ramifications for the 2024 election.
The court overruled the Colorado Supreme Court’s conclusion that Trump could not run again as president under section 3 of the 14th Amendment in an unsigned ruling with no dissents.
NBC News reported that the court noted the Colorado Supreme Court incorrectly presumed that states can assess presidential candidate eligibility under the 14th Amendment.
The verdict shows that Congress, not states, must regulate 14th Amendment enforcement. The decision applies to all states, not just Colorado.
“Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the states, responsible for enforcing section 3 against all federal office holders and candidates, we reverse,” the court read.
The decision comes a day before the Colorado primary.
The judgment will stop similar cases and keep Trump on the ballot in Colorado. Illinois and Maine are the only other states to follow Colorado. Both were halted, like the Colorado ruling.
The verdict warned of a patchwork of decisions across the country that may upend elections if state officials could choose presidential candidates.
According to the Court, a candidate may be ineligible in some states but not others for the same conduct.
Trump encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol on Jan. 6, as Congress was set to ratify President Joe Biden’s win, but the Supreme Court decision removes one route for holding him accountable for challenging the 2020 election results.
Trump faces criminal prosecution for the same behavior. Trump’s wide presidential immunity claim will be heard by the Supreme Court in April.
