Former President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court in a brief Thursday to rule that he’s eligible to run for president after Colorado removed him from its primary ballot last month, arguing the high court should put an end to the ballot disqualification efforts against Trump because they could lead to “chaos and bedlam” if other state courts follow follow Colorado’s lead.
Trump's case will be heard on Feb. 8. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
In the Colorado Supreme Court’s contested decision to remove Trump from the state ballot, the court argued the former president violated section three of the 14th Amendment, which holds that those who have taken an oath “to support the Constitution of the United States” can’t hold office if they’ve engaged in insurrection—a reference to Trump’s actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
Trump’s lawyers argued in the filing Thursday that the former president isn’t subject to section three and that even if he was, “he did not ‘engage in’ anything that qualifies as ‘insurrection.’”
The lawyers also argued section three bars individuals from “holding office, not from seeking or winning election to office.”
Arguments in the Supreme Court case will be heard on Feb. 8 while a decision could be made as soon as March 5, the New York Times reported, noting the latter date is when states like Colorado will hold their primaries.
Trump would still be able to secure the presidential nomination even if he isn't listed on the ballot in Colorado.
Colorado and Maine are the only states to remove Trump from their ballots. The decision on Trump’s ballot eligibility in Maine was pushed back Wednesday by state Superior Court Judge Michaela Murphy, freezing the decision until the Supreme Court delivers its ruling on the Colorado case. Trump’s actions the day of the Capitol attack have also landed him in legal trouble. In his federal election interference case, the former president is facing four charges including one count of conspiracy to violate rights, one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count each of obstructing an official proceeding and conspiring to do so. The judge overseeing the case indicated Thursday that the planned March 4 trial date may be delayed as Trump seeks to have the case thrown out on grounds of presidential immunity.
Trump Will Stay On The Ballot In Washington, Judge Rules (Forbes)