As the rerunning for 2024’s election draws closer Trump is still trying to keep his promise of rerunning his campaign. However, the Supreme Court has disqualified Trump from Colorado’s primary ballot.
On Dec. 19, 2023, the state of Colorado’s Supreme decided to prevent any potential votes, should he run again, from coming from their state. Ultimately due to the past attack on the U.S. Capital on Jan. 6, 2021.
Based on the clause under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, Trump is seen as engaging in insurrection as a “member of Congress.” More specifically the clause states:
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States…to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.
This will mark the first time the Court finds Trump and any president ineligible to return or run for the presidential office. This is unprecedented as there is no record of a Court officially banning a name from being involved in the primary presidential ballot under a provision from the Civil War era.
While Trump is looking to appeal the decision made by Colorado State Court the news of this ban has inspired other states to take similar action.
In Michigan, the liberal group, Free Speech For Free People gathered to ban Trump’s name from the Michigan ballot. Unlike Colorado, the Michigan Court did rule against the appeal. However, this is mostly because Colorado’s election laws differ in a “material way” in comparison to Michigan’s.
Upon its first review, the Michigan Court of Claims judge sees the case as unaddressable in their court due to its political questions. However, the court specifically mentions the ability of challengers to renew their efforts at the appeal. Justice Elizabeth Welch stated:
I would affirm the Court of Appeals’ ruling on this issue, which still allows appellants to renew their legal efforts as to the Michigan general election later in 2024 should Trump become the Republican nominee for President of the United States or seek such office as an independent candidate.
Thus, the lawsuit did not reach trial before its rejection.
Investigation After Threats to Colorado Judges in Trumps Case
After Trump’s disqualification in the 2024 Colorado Election Ballot reports of violent comments against the judges involved in his case have risen.
Now the Denver State Police Department states a rise in patrols around the residencies of the Justices who voted in favor of Trump’s removal from the ballots. Online activity, mostly from Trump’s founded social media apps, encourages violent actions against them. Officials, including state, local law enforcement, and non-government research groups are monitoring extremist sites.
Fortunately, no harm has come to any of those involved in Trump’s case. However, an unfounded threat report led to police investigating one of the justice’s homes. No information regarding the name or neighborhood of the official in question will be released due to safety reasons. However, DPD can say that:
Everything checked clear and we are continuing to investigate this report. Due to security and privacy considerations, and the ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time.
Since the January 6th Capitol riot, officials have been closely monitoring social media sights for another instigated attack against the public.
Written by Brielle R. Buford
Sources
CNN: FBI says it’s investigating after reports of violent threats to Colorado judges in Trump case
CNN: Michigan Supreme Court rejects ‘insurrectionist ban’ case and keeps Trump on 2024 primary ballot
CNBC: Michigan court rejects appeal to disqualify Trump from 2024 ballot
REUTERS: Police, FBI probe threats to Colorado judges in Trump ballot case
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Shawn’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
