A group of Colorado voters seeking to disqualify Donald Trump from the state’s ballot has presented their argument to the Supreme Court, asserting that the violence he incited on January 6, 2021, amounts to an insurrection.
This move aims to bar the former president from holding future office under the 14th Amendment. The voters’ legal team filed a brief ahead of the deadline, responding to Trump’s defense that he is not an “officer” as defined by the Constitution.
In their filing, the voters’ lawyers contend that the attack on the Capitol qualifies as an insurrection against the Constitution, pointing to the severity of the violence that obstructed the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
They reiterated the findings of the New York Attorney General Letitia James’ 2021 report, stating that Cuomo subjected numerous women to a sexually hostile work environment during his tenure as governor.
Addressing Trump’s primary argument, the voters’ lawyers emphasize that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment doesn’t exempt insurrectionist presidents from being considered officers.
They argue that Trump’s conduct aligns with the amendment’s provisions and allows states the authority to regulate presidential elections, including excluding candidates deemed constitutionally ineligible.
The filing counters Trump’s warnings of potential “bedlam” resulting from states blocking his name from primary ballots, emphasizing the need to prevent individuals like Trump, accused of insurrection, from wielding power that could lead to further chaos.
The legal team reframes the case around Trump’s actions on January 6, presenting images and tweets from the event. They assert that Trump deliberately incited violence and that his words, even if protected by the First Amendment, were not shielded due to his intent.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of Trump v. Anderson, marking an appeal against the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove him from the state’s ballot. Oral arguments are scheduled for February 8, setting the stage for a crucial legal battle.
