Colorado Supreme Court Bars Trump From Primary Ballot

Grayson Larkspur

Updated Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 7:36 AM CDT

Colorado Supreme Court Bars Trump From Primary Ballot

In a landmark decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled 4-3 to remove former President Donald Trump from the state's Republican primary ballot, citing his involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. The pivotal ruling, grounded in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, marks the first time this provision has been applied to Trump, setting a profound legal precedent.

The Colorado GOP, led by Chairman Dave Williams, is now contemplating a switch to a caucus system in response to the court's decision, which they hope could be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. If the switch is approved, it would enable Colorado Republicans to vote for Trump, potentially allocating him delegates despite the state court's ruling.

The move to a caucus system, however, requires permission from the national Republican Party and a waiver from the Republican National Committee. The Colorado Republican Party faces a tight deadline, needing to complete preparations for a larger caucus by March, with voting days scheduled for March 5, March 7, and an additional day on March 9 for specific rural communities.

Amidst this political turmoil, a federal appeals court has paused a lower court's order that would have kept Trump off the ballot until January 4, allowing his name to be included pending further appeals. The Trump campaign has signaled an imminent appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, with a decision on the caucus system hinging on this upcoming ruling.

Secretary of State Jena Griswold's office, through spokesperson Jack Todd, has clarified that Colorado law does not permit the cancellation of a presidential primary election by a political party's request. Griswold's deadline for ballot certification is January 5, and she has committed to comply with any court order in effect by that time.

Trump's legal entanglements extend beyond the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling. Special counsel Jack Smith has charged him with four felonies related to the 2020 presidential election. Additionally, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Trump's presidential status on January 6 does not shield him from lawsuits. In New York, Trump faces 34 felony charges related to a payment to Stormy Daniels, with a trial set for March 25. Moreover, a trial for mishandling classified documents is scheduled for May 20, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's trial on racketeering and election interference charges is yet to be scheduled.

Trump's team is actively seeking to delay these criminal and civil cases that coincide with the presidential primary season. A News/YouGov poll suggests that a serious crime conviction could weaken Trump's support among registered voters by 5 points. Meanwhile, the second defamation lawsuit by columnist E. Jean Carroll against Trump is set to commence on January 15.

The political landscape in Colorado is fraught with uncertainty and discontent among voters. Some criticize the Supreme Court's decision as disenfranchising, while others, like former Republican majority leader Norma Anderson, who was a petitioner in the case, applaud it for upholding electoral integrity. Voters across Colorado, from defense lawyers to retired attorneys, and from public school ther*****s to construction managers, are voicing their concerns about the stability of the nation's democracy in the face of these events.

As the nation watches, the Colorado GOP's potential move to a caucus system, Trump's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the kaleidoscope of legal cases against him are set to define a contentious chapter in American political history. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has even pledged to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary ballot if Trump remains excluded, challenging his fellow candidates to follow suit. The coming months promise to be a crucible for both the Republican Party and the resilience of U.S. democratic processes.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, the liberal elites and their activist judges are t****ling on the will of the people, folks. In a blatant display of judicial overreach, the Colorado Supreme Court has dared to remove President Trump from the primary ballot, using a dusty old amendment as their excuse. This is nothing short of a coup against a president who has done more for this country than any of those left-wing bureaucrats. The Colorado GOP, thank goodness, isn't taking this lying down and is fighting back with a plan to switch to a caucus system. They're standing up to the tyranny of the deep state and the liberal media that would see our freedoms stripped away in favor of their socialist agenda. And let's not forget the slew of baseless charges they keep throwing at Trump, trying to pin anything and everything on him to derail his campaign. They're scared, my friends, because they know that when the silent majority speaks up, their days of ruling over us with their politically correct nonsense are over. The fight for America's soul is on, and it's clear who the true patriots are.

Liberal Bias:

In an extraordinary act of courage and adherence to the Constitution, the Colorado Supreme Court has rightfully removed the disgraced former President Trump from the state's Republican primary ballot. This decision, grounded in the very fabric of our nation's laws, is a beacon of hope in the fight against the authoritarian and undemocratic tendencies that have infected the Republican Party. Yet, in a predictable move, the Trump-enabling GOP in Colorado is desperately scheming to circumvent justice by considering a switch to a caucus system. This is nothing less than an attempt to subvert the rule of law and the will of the people in order to prop up a man who has shown time and again his disdain for our democratic institutions. Trump's litany of legal woes, from his role in the insurrection to his numerous felony charges, paints a clear picture of a man who believes himself to be above the law. Yet, his cronies continue to defend him, betraying their oath to the Constitution and the American people. As the GOP flails in its attempts to rescue Trump's sinking ship, voters across the state of Colorado are standing up for the principles that truly make America great – justice, integrity, and the democratic process. The coming months will not just test the Republican Party, but will serve as a referendum on whether our nation will uphold the values of democracy or fall prey to the corrosive influence of tyrants and demagogues.

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