Donald Trump must be removed from Colorado’s 2024 presidential ballot because of his connection to the January 6 riot at the US Capitol, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.
In a 4-3 decision, the appellate panel found that Mr Trump could be kept off the state’s GOP ballot under the 14th Amendment, which bars those who took an oath to uphold the Constitution and then engaged in “insurrection” from holding office.
“We do not reach these conclusions lightly,” the majority opinion said, adding, “We are equally mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law without fear or favour, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions the law requires us to make.”
The decision, which is stayed until early January, applies only to the Colorado ballot and is likely to be appealed.
The ruling comes after reports emerged that federal prosecutors in Washington, DC, were considering obstruction charges related to Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election months before special counsel Jack Smith took over the investigation.
