DLNews 2024 Election:

In a legal plot twist that could rival a daytime soap opera, the Colorado Supreme Court, in a 4-3-2 majority decision, declared former President Donald Trump ineligible for the White House, citing the U.S. Constitution's insurrection clause. The ruling, a surprising deviation from a lower court's decision, ordered the exclusion of Trump's name from the 2024 Republican primary ballot in Colorado, setting the stage for potential national implications and legal battles over the use of the insurrection clause to bar presidential candidates.

The case was initiated by CREW, alleging that Trump violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits those engaging in "insurrection or rebellion against the United States" from holding public office. This marked the first time such a provision was used to block a presidential candidacy.

Most justices asserted that Trump's actions constituted insurrection, invoking a clause seldom utilized since 1866. They contended that this clause applies explicitly to presidential elections, leaving it to the secretary of state to determine a candidate's eligibility for the ballot.

Dissenting justices argued that the court rushed its review, raising due process concerns. Justice Richard Samour criticized the expedited process, deeming it "ill-suited for complex constitutional litigation."

Unsurprisingly, Trump's supporters decried the ruling as judicial activism, with the campaign swiftly announcing its intent to appeal to the Supreme Court. The decision, labeled a ploy by a "Soros-funded, left-wing special interest group" by Trump's spokesperson, is expected to solidify Trump's outsider image further, potentially alienating voters and energizing his base.

Colorado's move, while symbolically significant, has no immediate impact, as the state has yet to print ballots. The legal spectacle is poised to escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, with Trump's campaign vowing an appeal and Colorado judges issuing a stay.

Similar cases are cropping up across states, turning this into a legal drama with a national spotlight. Republicans criticized the Colorado Supreme Court majority, predicting the decision would backfire and strengthen Trump's 2024 campaign. House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik called them "four partisan Democrat operatives."

Conversely, Democrats championing the case applauded the ruling. Representative Bill Pascrell emphasized the clarity of the 14th Amendment, while Representative Ted Lieu, recalling Trump's impeachment trial, asserted that the evidence showed Trump's role in inciting the January 6 mob.

As the legal saga unfolds, the nation braces for a constitutional showdown, with the Trump eligibility spectacle promising political theater reminiscent of a season finale cliffhanger.