Donald Trump had a euphoric end to the year. As the Republican primary, which begins Jan. 15 in Iowa, approaches, polls show a winning streak toward the nomination, barring an unforeseen event. The unforeseen event in question occurred on Tuesday, December 19th, through a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court. The latter, with the shortest majority of four to three judges, concluded that Donald Trump could not be among the candidates in the primary elections in that state due to his role in the insurrection led by his supporters at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The former president plans to appeal to the United States Supreme Court, which is dominated by a conservative majority, to overturn that decision.
Donald Trump's disqualification in Colorado – a state that has voted for a Democrat in every presidential election since 2008 – will not take effect immediately. The court actually planned to stay its application in the event of an appeal to the Supreme Court in Washington. Donald Trump's name should therefore appear on the ballot. The primary election in this state, like around ten other states, will take place on March 5th on a big election day known as “Super Tuesday”. Meanwhile, the political and legal calendars will merge and cross-pollinate more than ever, pushing the United States into uncharted, highly charged territory.
Three years ago, on December 19, 2020, while spending his final weeks in the White House, Donald Trump urged his followers on Twitter to flock to Washington on January 6. Objective: Challenging the certification of the presidential election results in Congress. “Join us, it's going to be crazy!” he wrote.
On Tuesday, the Colorado Supreme Court confirmed the former president's responsibility for preparing and carrying out the attack on January 6, and was finally upheld in November by a Colorado judge in the first instance. The court notably rejected the free speech argument when examining Donald Trump's speech to his supporters on that fateful day, January 6th.
Apply the law “without fear or favor”
However, it went further in its conclusions and concluded that he should be declared ineligible based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. This section does not specifically mention the office of President of the United States. However, it provides that no person who has taken an oath to defend the Constitution can exercise any civil or military function if he or she has taken part in an insurrection or rebellion or has provided assistance to insurgents.
You still have 65% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.