'Civil war' trends online as Trump fans fume at Colorado court ruling removing him from 2024 ballot

DENVER, COLORADO: In a seismic ruling, Colorado's Supreme Court has barred Donald Trump from the state's 2024 presidential ballot, provoking outrage from the former president's loyal supporters, according to the BBC.

The 4-3 decision invokes a Reconstruction-era rule prohibiting those who 'engaged in insurrection' from holding office. This marks the first time a candidate has ever been disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

While Trump can still run nationally, the judgment deals a symbolic blow to his campaign. It also establishes a precedent that could see him excluded from other key state ballots pending appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Colorado's Supreme Court disqualifies Trump from the state's 2024 presidential ballot

The majority Colorado justices wrote that Trump's incendiary rhetoric ahead of the 2021 Capitol attack amounted to 'a call to his supporters to fight' and that the violent mob responded by laying siege to Congress.

"We do not reach these conclusions lightly," the ruling states, adding the court had a "solemn duty to apply the law" impartially.

The decision overturns a lower court judge's ruling that the 14th Amendment does not apply to presidents. It also affirms the same judge's prior verdict that Trump participated in an insurrection based on his efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

Dissenting Colorado judges argued the ban denied Trump due process, with Justice Carlos Samour writing: "There must be procedural due process before we can declare that individual disqualified from holding public office."

Trump allies unleash barrage of vitriol against Colorado Supreme Court's ruling

Incensed Trump allies unleashed a barrage of vitriol against the ruling on Tuesday. House Speaker Mike Johnson led the GOP backlash, lambasting it as a “thinly veiled partisan attack” designed to hinder the Republican frontrunner.

The Colorado GOP threatened to withdraw from the state primary altogether in protest. On the campaign trail, primary rival Vivek Ramaswamy dramatically pledged to abandon his own White House bid if Trump's candidacy is not reinstated.

Trump's legal team vowed to swiftly appeal the "completely flawed" verdict to the U.S. Supreme Court, where a 6-3 conservative majority awaits. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, who brought the successful case, asserted the decision was "necessary to protect the future of democracy in our country."

Trump supporters warn of an impending civil war due to Supreme Court's ruling

On social media, die-hard Trump supporters reacted with outrage, some calling the ruling an act of 'election interference' that could spark 'civil war'.

One user expressed disbelief, questioning the absence of an official conviction for insurrection: "Colorado wtf? Am I missing something when I say when was Donald Trump officially convicted of insurrection? This election interference is going to start a full-blown civil war, I swear. Praying for America."

Another commenter echoed this sentiment, perceiving the court ruling as a provocation toward civil unrest: "Colorado just gave the first shot over the bow toward Civil War. 4 judges should not be able to overrule the will of 6 MILLION COLORADO CITIZENS. Again, Democrats are NOT confident they can beat Trump at the ballot box so they are trying to circumvent THE AMERICAN PEOPLE."

Third user, appalled by the decision, linked it to a potential catalyst for conflict, stating, "Colorado court removes Trump from ballot !!! Watch the civil war begin. Citing a law that Trump hasn’t even been convicted of."

Another voice on social media blamed progressive Democrats for exacerbating tensions: "The progressive, woke Democrats are fomenting the seeds for a civil war by banning Trump from running. None of this ends well."

Adding to the outcry, another user warned of drastic implications, stating, "If the Colorado scam against Trump stands, we are officially in a dictatorship. Civil war is inching closer."

 

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