Supreme Court Decision on Trump’s Colorado Primary Ballot Eligibility Expected Monday
In a highly anticipated case that will determine the eligibility of former President Donald Trump to be on Colorado’s state primary ballot, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to deliver its decision on Monday. This ruling will have significant implications for the 2020 election and could potentially remove uncertainty surrounding Trump’s candidacy in the upcoming primary.
The controversy stems from a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court in December, which disqualified Trump from running for president again and made him ineligible for the state’s primary. The court invoked Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a provision aimed at preventing individuals who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. This marked the first time that the Supreme Court has been asked to rule on this particular provision.
Trump, who has already been barred from primary ballots in Illinois and Maine, has challenged the Colorado court’s decision and is eagerly awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling. The resolution of this case will determine whether votes cast for Trump in the primary will ultimately count towards his candidacy.
Both sides involved in the case have requested a swift decision from the court, which heard arguments on February 8th. Traditionally, the Supreme Court tends to issue decisions on days when the justices are scheduled to take the bench, except for when the end of the term nears in late June. However, the next scheduled court day is not until March 15th, and the justices won’t be present on Monday. The court’s opinions will be posted on its website shortly after 10 a.m. EST.
The timing of this decision is crucial, as it coincides with Super Tuesday contests taking place in 16 states. If Trump is allowed to remain on Colorado’s primary ballot, it could potentially boost his chances of securing the Republican nomination for president.
This anticipated decision comes on the heels of another significant development involving Trump and the Supreme Court. Last week, the court agreed to hear arguments in late April regarding whether Trump can be criminally prosecuted on charges related to election interference, including his alleged role in the January 6th, 2021, riot attack on the U.S. Capitol. This decision raises questions about whether Trump will stand trial before the November election.
In addition to these legal battles, the former president is facing more than 90 criminal charges across four prosecutions. However, the only case with a trial date currently is his state case in New York, where he is charged with falsifying business records in connection with hush-money payments to a porn actor. The trial for this case is set to begin on March 25th, and the judge has expressed determination to move forward.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on Trump’s eligibility for Colorado’s primary ballot, the implications for his political future and the upcoming election remain uncertain. This ruling will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of Trump’s campaign and potentially impact his chances of securing the Republican nomination once again.
