Trump fights Colorado court ruling barring him from running due to insurrection ties
5:58 AM EST, January 4, 2024
Although Trump is currently leading in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in the upcoming November elections, he is contesting the Supreme Court of Colorado's verdict delivered on December 19.
The court banned Trump's participation in the state primaries, invoking the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. The third section of this amendment, introduced post-Civil War, determines that anyone who has sworn allegiance to the US Constitution cannot hold office if they subsequently "engage in an insurrection or rebellion against it, or lend it aid or comfort".
The Associated Press highlights that this is the first time a court has applied this provision in US history.
Earlier, Trump's lawyers appealed against a decision made by Democratic Secretary of State in Maine, Shenny Bellows, who likewise disqualified Trump from participating in the primaries. One of the reasons given was his distribution of false information regarding election fraud in 2020 and his role in inciting the January 2021 riots in Washington.
Neither of these rulings is legally binding until the appeal is considered.
