Trump has turned to the Supreme Court to overturn a decision from the state of Colorado. He had disqualified him for the primary election. A verdict is not expected today – but a trend is.
Donald Trump feels he is in the right – in this as in all other legal proceedings that concern him: “I have done nothing wrong, absolutely nothing wrong,” Trump says again and again in interviews and campaign speeches.
Specifically about the Colorado case, he emphasizes: “I just hope we are treated fairly. Because if not, our country has a big, big problem.”
Storming of the Capitol resonates
A typical Trump statement that contains an unspoken threat that his supporters could end up using violence. They did it when they stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
This case is also about the storming of the Capitol, at least indirectly. Donald Trump has appealed to the US Supreme Court because he does not want to accept that the state of Colorado will remove him from the ballot for the presidential primaries.
There are also similar attempts by Trump opponents in other US states, such as Maine. The Supreme Court’s decision in the Colorado case will have a signal effect for all states. In the end, this could be a decisive factor in the outcome of the presidential election.
Rebellion against the constitution
The Colorado Supreme Court justified Trump’s exclusion from the primaries on the basis of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. It states that anyone who has taken part in an insurrection or riot against the constitution or supported insurgents is no longer allowed to hold public office.
According to the judges in Colorado, Trump took part in such an insurrection – on January 6, 2021.
The lead plaintiff in Colorado was Norma Anderson, 91 years old, former MP, lifelong Republican, but staunch Trump opponent:
“He is guilty of insurrection,” Anderson said in an interview with the Washington Post. Regarding Trump’s claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, she added: “Donald Trump firmly believes that if you repeat a lie often enough, people will eventually believe it.”
And the 91-year-old warns: “I don’t think the younger generation really understands how close they are to losing our democracy.”
Trump does not appear in person
Today both sides will be heard in the Supreme Court. Trump does not want to appear in court in person this time; he is being represented by his lawyers. It is unclear when the Supreme Court will announce its decision – probably before the so-called Super Tuesday on March 5th.
Primary elections will then take place in 15 states at the same time – including Colorado.
Former US Attorney General Michael Mukasey expects the Supreme Court to overturn the Colorado judges’ decision to keep Trump on the ballot:
“The question is on what grounds will they reverse the Colorado ruling,” Mukasey said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. With regard to the composition of the Supreme Court – six conservative, three liberal justices – he adds: “I hope that the Supreme Court decides unanimously. That would give the decision additional weight and acceptance, whatever it ends up being .”
Ralf Borchard, ARD Washington, tagesschau, February 8, 2024 9:59 a.m