Trump declares ‘BIG WIN FOR AMERICA’
On Monday, the US Supreme Court issued an order requiring former President Donald Trump to be reinstated on the 2024 primary ballot in Colorado, just before the Centennial State and 14 others were set to select their Republican presidential nominees.
This unanimous decision overturned disqualification rulings issued by officials and judges in Maine and Illinois in recent weeks. The order, which was not signed, determined that only Congress, rather than individual states, possesses the authority to disqualify candidates for federal office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, commonly referred to as the Insurrection Clause or the Disqualification Clause.
"The judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court... cannot stand," the order stated, with all nine Supreme Court justices concurring.
Following the ruling, the former president celebrated the decision on his Truth Social account, hailing it as a "BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!"
Harmeet K. Dhillon, founder and managing partner of the Dhillon Law Group representing Trump's 14th Amendment cases, emphasized the significance of the ruling for democracy and the rule of law, asserting that it safeguards the integrity of the electoral system and voters' rights nationwide.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold confirmed Trump's eligibility as a candidate in the state's 2024 presidential primary following the decision.
While all nine justices agreed on Trump's ballot inclusion, dissenting opinions arose, particularly from the liberal justices and a more moderate dissent from Justice Amy Coney Barrett. They argued that their colleagues had overstepped in determining the criteria for disqualifying individuals from federal office.
The majority of the justices had indicated openness to reversing the Colorado Supreme Court's decision during oral arguments on Feb. 8. The Colorado Republican Party appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, while Trump's attorneys appealed decisions in Maine and Illinois.
The Supreme Court's decision was notably made outside of the courtroom, underscoring the urgency felt by the justices to address the matter before Super Tuesday.
Nearly one-third of all Republican delegates, totaling 854 out of 2,429, will be up for grabs during the March 5 contests. Trump has already secured 244 delegates, with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley securing 19.
The decision to disqualify Trump in Colorado stemmed from allegations that he violated Section 3 through his actions leading up to and during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This clause, ratified in 1868, prohibits former Confederate officers from being elected to Congress if found to have engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" against the US.
Legal scholars expressed concerns over the Colorado court's application of the clause to determine a presidential candidate's eligibility, urging the Supreme Court to swiftly overturn the decision.
Trump's attorneys argued before the high court that the Insurrection Clause should be enforced by Congress, a point that resonated with the justices during oral arguments.
The Supreme Court will also hear oral arguments on April 22 regarding the indictment of Trump by special counsel Jack Smith last August for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Washington, DC. Trump's lawyers contend that he is immune from criminal prosecution for actions they claim fell within the scope of his official duties.
Additionally, the justices will consider an appeal from one of the more than 1,200 people charged in the Capitol riot, a case that could have implications for Trump and hundreds of others facing similar charges.