Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, is appealing to the US Supreme Court after being banned from the Republican primary ballot in Colorado. The Colorado Supreme Court's decision, made in December 2023, stemmed from Trump's involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault by his supporters.
Trump's legal team is urging the predominantly conservative Supreme Court to review the case and overturn the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling. They emphasized that if this decision is upheld, it would mark the first instance in American history where the judiciary prevents voters from choosing a major-party presidential candidate.
This move comes just after Trump filed an appeal contesting a decision by Maine's top election official that would prevent him from being listed on the primary ballot in Maine. Trump's attorneys accused Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, of bias and making an arbitrary and capricious decision.
Both the Colorado Supreme Court and Maine's secretary of state based their rulings on the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. Section Three of this amendment prohibits individuals from holding public office if they engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" after previously pledging to uphold the Constitution.
Notably, courts in Minnesota and Michigan have permitted Trump's inclusion on their respective primary ballots, citing the same 14th Amendment.
At 77 years old, Trump faces upcoming legal challenges, including a trial in Washington in March. He is accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results, won by the incumbent, Joe Biden. Additionally, Trump faces racketeering charges in Georgia for allegedly plotting to disrupt the election outcome.
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