The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that former U.S. President Donald Trump is prohibited from appearing on Colorado's presidential primary ballot next year.
"A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment," the court wrote in a close 4-3 decision.
🚨#BREAKING | Colorado Supreme Court removes Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot for president, citing the 14th Amendment. pic.twitter.com/wclDJrK5Kw
— VOZ (@Voz_US) December 19, 2023
It is the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been invoked to prohibit a presidential candidate.
The controversial decision, based on Trump allegedly calling for insurrection and seeking to overturn the 2020 election results, will be appealed, and the case will most likely reach the United States Supreme Court.
Trump's campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, said in a statement that they "have full confidence that the U.S. Supreme Court will quickly rule in our favor and finally put an end to these unAmerican lawsuits."
#BREAKING | Former President Donald Trump responds to the Colorado Supreme Court decision removing him from the 2024 ballot pic.twitter.com/PnlIssJfel
— VOZ (@Voz_US) December 19, 2023
In the statement, the Trump campaign accused Democratic Party leaders of remaining "in a state of paranoia over the growing, dominant lead President Trump has amassed in the polls."
"They have lost faith in the failed Biden presidency and are now doing everything they can to stop the American voters from throwing them out of office next November. The Colorado Supreme Court issued a completely flawed decision tonight and we will swiftly file an appeal to the United States Supreme Court and a concurrent request for a stay of this deeply undemocratic decision," they stated.
Meanwhile, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a statement that she "continue to follow court guidance on this important issue."
"The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump is barred from the Colorado ballot for inciting the January 6 insurrection and attempting to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election. This decision may be appealed," Griswold wrote.
Minutes after the Colorado Supreme Court ruling, Republican primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy came out in favor of the former president and announced that he would withdraw from the Colorado Republican primary unless Trump can be on the ballot.
#BREAKING | GOP Primary Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy @VivekGRamaswamy responds to the Colorado Supreme Court ruling, says he'll withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary unless Trump can be on the ballot. pic.twitter.com/zHzmFkiPgP
— VOZ (@Voz_US) December 20, 2023
