(The Center Square) – Colorado officials responded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Monday that allows former President Donald Trump to appear on the state’s primary ballot.
The case went to the nation’s highest court after Trump appealed a Colorado Supreme Court decision saying he could be removed from the state’s Republican primary ballot under the 14th Amendment because of his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. However, Trump’s appeal triggered a stipulation that he would appear on the ballot with the primary election on Tuesday.
“This case raises the question whether the States, in addition to Congress, may also enforce Section 3,” the unanimous ruling states. “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.”
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat who advocated for Trump to be left off the ballot, expressed disappointment in the ruling.
“I am disappointed in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision stripping states of the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for federal candidates,” Griswold said in a tweet. “Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrections from our ballot.”
Trump said in a press conference following the ruling he thinks “it will go a long way toward bringing our country together, which our country needs.”
Trump’s allies in Colorado took a victory lap following the unanimous ruling.
“We are grateful for this massive victory to be announced on the eve of Super Tuesday so all Coloradans, and all Americans across the country, can finally know their votes will count for President Trump,” Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams said in a fundraising email.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who Trump endorsed for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District seat over the weekend, tweeted, “Yet another swing and miss from the looney left.”
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the progressive group that represented the six Colorado Republican and unaffiliated voters in the case, said in a statement the decision “was in no way a win for Trump.”
“The Supreme Court had the opportunity in this case to exonerate Trump, and they chose not to do so,” CREW President Noah Bookbinder said. “Every court–or decision-making body–that has substantively examined the issue has determined that January 6th was an insurrection and that Donald Trump incited it. That remains true today. The Supreme Court removed an enforcement mechanism, and in letting Trump back on the ballot, they failed to meet the moment. But it is now clear that Trump led the January 6th insurrection, and it will be up to the American people to ensure accountability.”
