The Supreme Court is currently considering whether former President Donald Trump may be removed from the Republican primary in Colorado as a result of his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump’s lawyer, Jonathan Mitchell, outlined his opposition to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that a loss could set precedent for other states to follow suit, effectively hindering Trump’s potential bid for the presidency in the forthcoming election. Although the hearing is being held in response to the unique circumstances of Trump’s case, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority will address various legal issues concerning Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Mitchell argued that even if a candidate were an admitted insurrectionist, this would not disqualify them from running for office. However, Justices Sonia Sotomayor and John Roberts pushed back on this claim, ultimately adding another layer of complexity for the court’s consideration. Despite Trump’s efforts to dismiss the lawsuit, the Justices will listen to arguments presented by Trump’s lawyers, the Colorado plaintiffs, and Colorado Secretary of State Jenna Griswold.
Moreover, the case has garnered additional attention due to its expedited schedule and the upcoming primary elections in more than a dozen states. Therefore, the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling is expected to have significant implications for not only Trump’s political aspirations, but also future efforts to remove or bar candidates from public office due to their actions.