analysis
Incited an uprising?
The Supreme Court is discussing Trump’s exclusion from the election – and is showing great skepticism
Trump as a “traitor”: A demonstrator in front of the Supreme Court in Washington. The judges there began deciding on Thursday whether the ex-president could be excluded from the elections
© AFP
Donald Trump will no longer be allowed to run in any elections, voters in Colorado argued. And got justice in their state. But now the Supreme Court is deciding on the matter. And he seems to see it completely differently.
Norma Anderson is not disappointed. She is not angry, nor without hope. But she suspects how the Supreme Court will decide after the hearing: against her. Against the lead plaintiff in the case Trump versus Anderson. Against their attempt to exclude Donald Trump from the elections. “Trump incited an insurrection against the republic,” she continues to believe. “According to the constitution, he is no longer allowed to run. But the court obviously has a lot of questions.”
As a matter of fact. The four female and five justices on the Supreme Court do not appear to share Anderson’s conviction. They questioned – sometimes vehemently – the decision of the Supreme Court of Colorado, which had ruled in Anderson’s favor six weeks ago. Above all, they questioned the possible consequences of expelling Trump: Can any presidential candidate be expelled if a few plaintiffs believe he incited an insurrection? Aren’t millions of voters – supporters of Trump – also being excluded? And how much power do you give to a single state when it is in a position to make this momentous decision for the entire country?
“I remain optimistic,” says 91-year-old Anderson, who describes herself as a “republican from birth.” “We have achieved a lot.”
She enjoyed the performance in Washington. Not so much media attention. More attention to the matter itself: Trump’s “attempt to overthrow” is being heard by the Supreme Court. The top judges have to deal with the “coup plotter”. America must once again ask itself the question: Do we really want an autocrat in the White House who is guilty of attempted election fraud? The former politician is convinced that the more Americans have to ask themselves this question, the less likely Donald Trump will be elected.
The Supreme Court in Washington, DC, the highest court in the United States
© AFP
The co-plaintiff Krista Kafer, a conservative university lecturer from Denver, tells the star also agree that it is a “tough” Hearing was that the chances of victory have not exactly increased. “I liked the tough questions from the judges,” she says. “If we win this case, it could potentially have a divisive effect on our country. But if Trump wins, it will be dangerous for our entire country. That’s the difference.”
Donald Trump himself faced the media after the hearing and was visibly pleased with the skeptical judges. He is already expecting a win. He immediately spoke about the next case that the Supreme Court has to deal with. The question is whether, as a former president, he has immunity and whether he can be prosecuted. “A president must always have immunity,” he demanded again. And got on the plane to celebrate his election victory in Nevada that evening. Another good news for him.
Experts agree – Trump will probably win in court
The Supreme Court will probably make a quick decision in the Trump versus Anderson case, because the primaries in Colorado and 15 other states are scheduled for March 5, “Super Tuesday.” According to almost all experts, the six conservative and three left-wing judges will decide with a large majority, perhaps even unanimously, in favor of Trump’s participation in the elections in Colorado – and thus in all other states.
Former President Donald Trump already sees himself as the winner of the proceedings
© DPA
However, things are different when it comes to his immunity. After an appeals court confirmed this week that no person is above the law, including a president, it is expected that the Supreme Court will follow this reasoning.
Then the way will be clear for the criminal trials against Donald J. Trump, possibly before the elections in November. Trump’s good day in court will then be overshadowed by probably many dark days.