Washington: US President Donald Trump’s campaign for the 2024 presidential election has been dealt a major blow following a significant ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court. The court has declared that Trump is ineligible to contest elections due to his role in inciting violence against the US government on January 6, 2021, during the Capitol Hill riot.
The landmark decision stems from a case filed in Colorado seeking to disqualify Trump from running for president in the state. The court ruled that Trump’s actions on January 6 violated the US Constitution, particularly the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who engage in insurrection from holding public office.
The court found that Trump, as president, not only incited the attack on Capitol Hill but also repeatedly urged Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Additionally, he contacted senators, asking them to disrupt the counting of electoral votes.
The court rejected Trump’s defense, which focused on First Amendment free speech rights. The court stated that the First Amendment does not protect inflammatory speech that is intended to incite violence or insurrection.
The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is a historic ruling that could potentially affect the 2024 presidential campaign. The court’s decision applies specifically to Colorado, but it is likely to set a precedent that could be cited in similar cases in other states.
Election officials in Colorado have indicated that the case must be resolved by January 5, 2023, to determine the list of candidates for the upcoming GOP primary scheduled for March 5.
Trump’s legal team has the option to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court before the January 4 deadline. However, the court’s ruling is a significant setback for Trump’s presidential ambitions, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the 2024 election cycle.
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