A liberal group is appealing a Colorado judge’s ruling that former President Donald Trump can remain on the ballot despite a constitutional bar from office on those “involved in the insurrection.”
By means ofNICHOLAS RICCARDI Associated Press
November 21, 2023, 11:13 am
Sean Grimsley, attorney for the petitioners, delivers closing arguments during a hearing for a lawsuit seeking to keep former President Donald Trump off the state ballot in court Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, Swimming Pool)
The Associated Press
DENVER — Both a liberal group that sought to disqualify Donald Trump and the former president himself on Monday evening appealed a judge’s ruling that Trump “engaged in an insurrection” on January 6, 2021, but could remain on the state’s primary ballot.
The appeals were filed with the Colorado Supreme Court. Friday’s ruling by Colorado District Court Judge Sarah Wallace — which found that Trump is not covered by the Constitution’s ban on insurrectionists holding office — was the latest in a series of defeats in the effort to end Trump’s candidacy with Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
The constitutional provision has been used only a handful of times since the post-Civil War years. It was created to prevent former Confederates from returning to government positions.
The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which filed on behalf of a group of Republican and unaffiliated voters in Colorado, argued that Wallace was wrong to rule that it was not clear that the provision applied to presidents. Trump, meanwhile, appealed Wallace’s finding that he was guilty of insurrection and questioned whether a state court judge like her, rather than Congress, should resolve the issue.
The case will be heard by the state court’s seven judges, all of whom were appointed by Democrats.
Colorado officials have pushed for a final decision by Jan. 5, 2024, when they must complete their primary voting. The next step after the Colorado Supreme Court would be the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never ruled on Section 3.
Trump has labeled the lawsuits as “election interference” by Democratic “dark money” groups.