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On Monday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down an anticipated decision in the Colorado-based 14th Amendment ballot challenge against President Donald Trump, bringing home a much-needed victory for American elections.
In a resounding and unanimous 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court reversed the controversial decision of the Colorado State Supreme Court to strip Trump from the 2024 ballot, per the court’s ruling.
After laying out their arguments, the court stated:
“In our view, each of these reasons is necessary to provide a complete explanation for the judgment the Court unanimously reaches. The judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court is reversed. The mandate shall issue forthwith.”
“BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social directly following the release of the ruling.
The court fleshed out their decision and discussed the issue of whether states had the right to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Via the opinion: “This case raises the question whether the States, in addition to Congress, may also enforce Section 3. We conclude that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency.”
The justices further highlighted a series of prior cases in their decision, adding, “That pattern of disqualification with respect to state, but not federal offices provides ‘persuasive evidence of a general understanding’ that the States lacked enforcement
power with respect to the latter.”
Further:
“An evolving electoral map could dramatically change the behavior of voters, parties, and States across the
country, in different ways and at different times. The disruption would be all the more acute—and could nullify the
votes of millions and change the election result—if Section 3 enforcement were attempted after the Nation has voted.
Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos—arriving at any time or different times, up to and
perhaps beyond the Inauguration.”
This integral ruling came after the Colorado State Supreme Court found that Trump was disqualified to remain on the ballot based upon an argument rooted in the 14th Amendment, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.
In early February, the Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in the case. Trump called the 14th Amendment issue “more election interference by the Democrats” shortly after the arguments concluded but noted that “we have tremendous support from the people of our country.”
This is a developing story.