Internet weighs in as Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn ruling barring him from Colorado ballot

WASHINGTON, DC: In a bid to challenge Colorado's ruling that disqualified his candidacy from the state's primary ballot, Donald Trump has now appealed to the US Supreme Court, reports CNN.

According to the 43-page petition for a writ of certiorari, the ex-POTUS argued that Section 3 of the Constitution's 14th Amendment was not applicable in his case, claiming the January 6 Capitol Hill incident was not an insurrection.

The filing read, "In the context of the history of violent American political protests, January 6 was not insurrection and thus no justification for invoking Section 3." 

Colorado Supreme Court on December 19 made the landmark ruling barring Trump's candidacy in the state's ballot, citing his involvement in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.

However, the decision was temporarily halted so that the SCOTUS had the final say.

Petition states Donald Trump never told his supporters to enter the Capitol

The petition defended Trump on his alleged involvement in the January 6 events, stating, "Nothing that President Trump did 'engaged' in 'insurrection.' President Trump never told his supporters to enter the Capitol, either in his speech at the Ellipse or in any of his statements or communications before or during the events at the Capitol."

It also argued that he had asked his supporters to protest "peacefully and patriotically."

Opposing the Colorado SC's ruling, the petition asserted that a state court has no right to rule on matters of presidential eligibility.

The petition further stated, "The question of eligibility to serve as President of the United States is properly reserved for Congress, not the state courts, to consider and decide. By considering the question of President Trump's eligibility and barring him from the ballot, the Colorado Supreme Court arrogated Congress' authority."

Trump has also appealed against a similar ban in Maine by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on January 2, according to the Associated Press.

Donald Trump's lawyer concerned about SCOTUS ruling

Despite a conservative majority in the SCOTUS, Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, has concerns that the ruling would be against the former president's favor, according to The Hill.

"You know, Republicans are conservative, they get nervous. They unfortunately … sometimes shy away from being pro-Trump because they feel that even if the law is on our side, they are swayed much like the Democratic side, right?" told Habba in a Fox News interview.

She added, "So they're trying so hard to look neutral that sometimes, they make the wrong call," stating that even Trump had voiced similar concerns about whether the SCOTUS would uphold the Colorado SC ruling.

Internet reacts as Donald Trump files appeal against Colorado ruling to US Supreme Court

Soon after the news of Trump's petition to the Supreme Court came to light, netizens flocked to share their perspectives on what might be the outcome. 

One said, "Will be overturned by the Supreme Court," while another remarked, "I think SCOTUS will bend over backwards to avoid weighing in on the issue of presidential immunity. They know that if Trump gets back in office, he will push whatever boundaries they spell out."

A person noted, "Either he is digging grave for himself or the Supreme Court is totally compromised, there won’t be a third outcome," with someone else expressing, "Hopefully the Supreme Court will rule to keep him OFF the ballot!!! Then other states can follow!!!!"

An individual remarked, "I would say Judge carefully Supreme Court! Being on the wrong side of history can be very difficult to deal with!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.