The Supreme Court of the US state of Colorado has excluded Trump from the primaries there. The ex-president now wants to involve the Supreme Court. In a way, the verdict could actually benefit him.
Donald Trump’s opponents are celebrating the Colorado verdict like a kind of early Christmas present: “Donald Trump is an existential threat to our democracy,” said Democratic Congressman Jason Crow from Colorado on CNN. During his time as president, Trump showed contempt for the rule of law and democracy. He used political violence to achieve his goals.
The judges in Colorado also based their decision on Trump’s past. The background is his role in the storming of the US Parliament on January 6, 2021. Trump’s supporters wanted to prevent Trump’s deselection from being confirmed that day. Trump had fired up the crowd. The judges in Colorado found that he violated the 14th Amendment, which prohibits any public official from engaging in insurrection against the state.
Republican criticism
The Republicans sharply criticize the verdict. Dave Williams, party chairman in Colorado, finds the decision absurd. His party will do everything it can to protect the rights of voters in Colorado and across the country to elect Trump as their president, he told CNN.
Trump’s competitors in the party’s primary election campaign also think the decision is wrong. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said at a campaign event: It’s not a court that should stop Trump, but the voters. If the decision stands, it will cause a lot of anger because it will take away an option for people.
Trump would have had a difficult time in Colorado anyway
Trump’s campaign team wants to take the case to the US Supreme Court. Tim Parlatore, Trump’s former lawyer, is convinced on Fox News that the Supreme Court will get involved. Because the ruling from Colorado cannot be left standing: “Let’s imagine that Trump is on the ballot in the other 49 states and ends up winning the election. What happens then? Does Colorado not recognize the president?” The possible effects cannot currently be foreseen.
Similar lawsuits against Trump failed in several other states. Even if he ultimately isn’t allowed to run in Colorado, that wouldn’t automatically be the end for Trump. Because the Democratic candidate always won there in the last elections anyway.
In addition, the previous charges and proceedings against Trump have shown that they tend to benefit him in the polls, says Frank Luntz, communications consultant at CNN. The more Trump is condemned, the more supporters will rally around him. Because his supporters see him as a victim of a political justice system.
The Supreme Court should now decide
The Republican primaries begin in mid-January. Trump is currently clearly leading in polls. As of now, he is still on the ballot everywhere – including in Colorado. The judges there have suspended their own judgment for the time being so that the Supreme Court can decide.
Arne Bartram, ARD Washington, tagesschau, December 20, 2023 5:40 p.m