The justices unanimously rejected a Colorado court's December 19 decision to disqualify former US President Trump from the state's Republican primary ballot today (March 5). The Colorado court had previously charged Mr. Trump with inciting the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021 by his supporters.
Donald Trump stands on stage during a campaign rally in Virginia, US, on March 2, 2024. Photo: Reuters
The Supreme Court voted 6-3 in the decision, which included three Trump appointees. “We conclude that states may remove persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But states have no constitutional authority to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, particularly the presidency,” the court said.
Mr Trump welcomed the ruling: “You can’t basically take someone out of the race because your opponent wants to take you out.” Mr Trump said he hoped the decision would help unite the country, but then criticised his political opponents and the prosecutors behind the four criminal cases against him.
The judges determined that only the US Congress can enforce the constitutional provision against federal officials and candidates. Mr. Trump is currently the leading Republican candidate in the US election on November 5.
The US Supreme Court's ruling was made ahead of Super Tuesday (today) when most of the US presidential primaries will take place to select each party's nominees.
Mr. Trump was also barred from voting in Maine and Illinois under the 14th Amendment. Those decisions have been blocked pending the Supreme Court’s decision in the Colorado case.
Huy Hoang (according to Reuters, CNN, AP)
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