Colorado Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump 14th Amendment lawsuit

Oral arguments commenced on Wednesday afternoon before the Colorado Supreme Court on whether state officials violated the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by allowing former President Donald Trump’s name to appear on the state’s primary ballots. Some Colorado voters have sued, saying Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars those who have engaged in insurrection from holding offices without the support of two-thirds of Congress. They argue Trump engaged in insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, by inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol.

Why is this coming before the state’s Supreme Court? A Colorado judge earlier this year ruled that Trump did engage in insurrection, but also ruled that Trump can appear on the state’s primary ballots because Section 3 of the 14th Amendment doesn’t apply to the office of president. The Colorado voters are appealing to stop Trump from appearing on the primary ballots. Trump is also appealing the portion of the ruling saying he engaged in insurrection.

Dig deeper: Read Daniel R. Suhr’s column in WORLD Opinions saying that voters, not the 14th Amendment, should decide the next president of the United States.