Primary elections will also take place in Colorado on Tuesday as part of “Super Tuesday.” The state Supreme Court excluded the leading Republican presidential candidate from the primary election, citing his role in the January 2021 storming of the Capitol. Republicans then appealed to the Supreme Court, which must now decide whether Trump will run in the primary. election can. The Supreme Court is also expected to decide whether Trump can run in the actual presidential election – and that the decision will apply to all states.
It is the first time since the election of George Bush Jr. against Al Gore, which was finally decided by the Supreme Court 24 years ago, that the US Supreme Court has had such a direct say in an election.
Overturned your own appointment calendar
The fact that the Supreme Court, which pays special attention to traditions and traditional procedures, announces and makes a decision in such a short period of time – and visibly throws its own calendar out the window – is probably due to the electoral calendar. A decision on Colorado after the primaries could have thrown the entire Republican primary campaign, and subsequently the election campaign itself, into serious turmoil. The Colorado Republican Party, which appealed to the Supreme Court, asked the highest judges to rule, if possible, before “Super Tuesday.”
In fact, the Supreme Court will not meet again until March 15. The decision will not be announced in court, but will be published online on the website. The announcement did not reveal which case the decision would apply to. The date – one day before “Super Tuesday” – suggests that this is Trump’s approval to vote. The Supreme Court held a hearing on the case on February 8.
Portal/Julia Nikhinson Trump on his way to one of his numerous court appearances
Skeptical judge at the hearing
At the hearing, most of the top justices made it clear that they did not support a judicial ban on voting based on the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Trump's lawyers argued that only Congress could disqualify a candidate. The opposing party referred to paragraph 3 of the 14th Amendment. According to this, no one can hold public office if they have participated in an “insurrection or insurrection” against the Constitution after taking an oath to defend it.
It is controversial among lawyers to what extent the 14th Amendment, which was passed between northern and southern states after the American Civil War, can be used.
Delete Avalanche Warning
Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts warned of “troubling consequences” if the Colorado decision is upheld. Then there could also be “disqualification procedures on the other side”. “I expect a good number of states to say, 'Whoever the Democratic nominee is, you're off the ballot.'” It will all come down to “a handful of states that will decide the presidential election.”
Liberal Justice Elena Kagan and other justices also appeared skeptical. “The question is why should a single state decide who becomes president of the United States,” Kagan told Murry.
The U.S. Supreme Court typically tries to stay out of political issues. This voting rights case catapulted him to the center of the presidential elections. Observers assume the judges want to avoid any appearance of election interference.