Trump's barring from Colorado ballot triggers fierce reactions from Democrats and Republicans

DENVER, COLORADO: The Colorado Supreme Court dropped a political bombshell on Tuesday, December 19, by disqualifying Donald Trump from the state's 2024 presidential ballot over his alleged incitement of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, as reported by the Associated Press.

The decision immediately sparked fierce reactions across the political spectrum - with Democrats praising the move to uphold constitutional safeguards against insurrections, while Republicans lambasted it as a partisan abuse of judicial power primarily aimed at kneecapping Trump's White House bid.

Colorado's Supreme Court issues historic ruling against Trump using 14th Amendment

The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday invoked Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to disqualify former President Trump from the state's 2024 presidential ballot. In a 4-3 decision, the justices ruled that Trump is ineligible for office due to his role in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

"A majority of the court holds that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment," the court wrote. While a district court previously found Trump incited the riot, it was uncertain if the 14th Amendment could apply to a presidential candidate.

The state supreme court's ruling now sets up a likely US Supreme Court showdown over the unprecedented constitutional question.

The justices stayed their judgment until the pending January 4 federal appeal. Colorado election officials say the ballot must be finalized by January 5, forcing urgent legal resolution of an issue with massive 2024 implications.

Democrats praise Colorado Supreme Court's judgment targeting Trump candidacy

Democratic politicians were quick to laud the Colorado court's novel application of a Reconstruction-era constitutional provision against an ex-president accused of enabling a violent attack on democracy itself.

"The Court appropriately held that Trump is disqualified from being [on] the ballot," tweeted Rep Ted Lieu (D-CA), an impeachment manager during Trump's 2021 Senate trial centered on the Capitol riot aftermath. "As an impeachment manager, it was very clear to me that the evidence showed Trump called for and incited the mob on January 6.”

Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) agreed, posting, “Good. The former President incited an attack on our democracy and there should absolutely be consequences.”

“The Constitution protects the right to vote and bars candidates who abuse the process or engage in insurrection,” added Rep Jason Crow (D-CO), applauding his state’s justices. “Donald Trump has done both.”

Republicans blast attack on Trump’s candidacy

Republicans widely condemned the Colorado court's disqualification of Trump as a dangerous instance of judicial overreach aimed at hobbling their undisputed presidential frontrunner over disputed events.

“Regardless of political affiliation, every citizen registered to vote should not be denied the right to support our former president and the individual who is the leader in every poll of the Republican primary,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in a statement, trusting the US Supreme Court to “let the American people decide.”

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, himself considered a top Trump rival, tweeted, “The Left invokes ‘democracy’ to justify its use of power, even if it means abusing judicial power to remove a candidate.” He also pressed for the judgment to be reversed.

Former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie told voters at a New Hampshire event, "I do not think Donald Trump should be prevented from being President of the United States by any court. I think he should be prevented from being President of the United States by the voters of this country."

With the 2024 election cycle firing up, the Colorado ruling sets the stage for quite an explosive legal and political battle over whether Trump's riot-tainted legacy can or should disqualify his renewed presidential ambitions.

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