The Supreme Court is urged to rule Trump is ineligible to be president again because of the Jan. 6 riot
WASHINGTON – Lawyers leading the fight to keep Donald Trump off the ballot for the 2024 presidential election have urged the Supreme Court to declare him ineligible to be president again. They argue that Trump spearheaded the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an effort to overturn his 2020 election loss.
In a filing submitted to the court, the lawyers emphasized the need for the justices to uphold a first-of-its-kind Colorado court decision that removed Trump from the state’s primary ballot. They called on the court to fulfill its constitutional duty and make it clear that nobody, not even a former president, is above the law.
The case before the Supreme Court centers around a provision of the 14th Amendment that prohibits certain individuals who engaged in insurrection from holding public office. The lawyers argued that Trump intentionally organized and incited a violent mob to attack the U.S. Capitol, showcasing vivid descriptions of the events that unfolded that day.
The lawyers further asserted that the amendment applies to the president, and Congress does not need to take action before states can enforce it. They urged the court to recognize the events of Jan. 6 as an insurrection for which Trump bears responsibility.
On the other hand, Trump’s lawyers argue that excluding him from the ballot would disenfranchise millions of Americans and lead to chaos. They contended that Trump did not engage in insurrection and that the presidency is not covered by the 14th Amendment’s provision. They also claimed that legislation would need to be enacted by Congress before states could invoke the provision to bar candidates from the ballot.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in this historic case on Feb. 8. The urgency for a decision is driven by the need to clarify Trump’s eligibility before Super Tuesday on March 5, when numerous delegates, including those from Colorado, will be up for grabs.
This case marks the first time the Supreme Court will examine the 14th Amendment provision at hand, which was adopted in 1868 after the Civil War. While Trump has already secured victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, both sides agree that a prompt resolution from the court is necessary for voters to determine Trump’s eligibility for the presidency.
Apart from the case in Colorado, Trump is also appealing a ruling by the Democratic secretary of state of Maine, Shenna Bellows, which deems him ineligible to appear on the state’s ballot due to his involvement in the Capitol attack. The rulings in both Colorado and Maine are currently on hold pending the outcome of the appeals.
The significance of this Supreme Court case cannot be overstated, as it has the potential to disrupt the 2024 presidential election and establish a precedent for holding individuals accountable for actions that undermine the democratic process. The court’s decision will shape the political landscape for years to come.
