The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that former President Donald Trump cannot be removed from Colorado’s primary ballot based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The ruling comes as Colorado’s Republican primary is set to hold the next day, March 5.
Trump was removed from the state’s ballot after Colorado voters challenged his eligibility for president, claiming he is guilty of insurrection due to his actions leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 protests at the Capitol.
After Trump challenged the ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court upheld it in a 4-3 decision in December.
However, all nine justices in the U.S. Supreme Court all agreed that “States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency.” According to the justices, appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents, such efforts to remove a candidate from the state’s ballot using the 14th Amendment can also apply to candidates running for state office.
Celebrating his win, Trump took to Truth Social to write, “BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!”
His supporters in Congress have also celebrated the higher court’s decision.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) endorsed the court’s decision in a statement, saying, “States engaging in the same activist, undemocratic behaviors should take notice and leave it to the American people to decide who will be president.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) issued a statement to Fox News, saying that he “wholeheartedly” agrees with the Supreme Court.
“Voters should determine who is or isn’t on the ballot, not liberal activist judges. Today’s ruling is a historic win for democracy and the American people,” he stated.
In a post to X, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) wrote, “Grateful that SCOTUS blocked Democrats from unconstitutionally attempting to remove @realDonaldTrump from the ballot. President Trump is the choice of the American people!”
Grateful that SCOTUS blocked Democrats from unconstitutionally attempting to remove @realDonaldTrump from the ballot.
President Trump is the choice of the American people! pic.twitter.com/K9ipTZadbv
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) March 4, 2024
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) tweeted, “The right decision. Glad to see the Supreme Court stand up to the extreme left’s attempts to undermine our democracy.”
The right decision. Glad to see the Supreme Court stand up to the extreme left’s attempts to undermine our democracy. https://t.co/hH72RarIRd
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) March 4, 2024
Highlighting the unanimity of the court in the decision, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) tweeted, “9-0. The commies will have to find other ways to ‘defend democracy.’”
9-0. The commies will have to find other ways to "defend democracy". #MAGA https://t.co/rLYFZtsgre
— Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) March 4, 2024