Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clause
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday declared former President Donald Trump ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection clause and removed him from the state’s presidential primary ballot, setting up a likely showdown in the nation’s highest court to decide whether the front-runner for the GOP nomination can remain in the race.
The decision from a court whose justices were all appointed by Democratic governors marks the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate.
“A majority of the court holds that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment,” the court wrote in its 4-3 decision.
Colorado’s highest court overturned a ruling from a district court judge who found that Trump incited an insurrection for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, but said he could not be barred from the ballot because it was unclear that the provision was intended to cover the presidency.
The court stayed its decision until Jan. 4, or until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the case.
Trump’s attorneys had promised to appeal any disqualification immediately to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has the final say about constitutional matters.
Get the latest updates here:
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseMike Stewart
A vehicle and trailer drive by the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Trump is charged alongside others, who are accused by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters to keep the Republican president in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Mike StewartA vehicle and trailer drive by the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Trump is charged alongside others, who are accused by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters to keep the Republican president in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
Malcolm Davis walks up the street in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GrayMalcolm Davis walks up the street in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
Supporters of former President Donald Trump and journalists gather near the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GraySupporters of former President Donald Trump and journalists gather near the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseMike Stewart
A vehicle and trailer drive by the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Former President Trump is charged alongside others, who are accused by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters to keep the Republican president in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Mike StewartA vehicle and trailer drive by the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Former President Trump is charged alongside others, who are accused by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters to keep the Republican president in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
An official stands guard in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GrayAn official stands guard in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Former President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail as authorities put up barricades outside, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonFormer President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail as authorities put up barricades outside, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Former President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonFormer President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Authorities put up barricades outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonAuthorities put up barricades outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Former President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonFormer President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Former President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonFormer President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Authorities put up barricades outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonAuthorities put up barricades outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Former President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail as authorities put up barricades outside, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonFormer President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail as authorities put up barricades outside, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
Officials set up barriers in front of the Fulton County jail as supporters of former President Donald Trump gather, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GrayOfficials set up barriers in front of the Fulton County jail as supporters of former President Donald Trump gather, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Former President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonFormer President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Former President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonFormer President Donald Trump's supporters gather outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
A Fulton County Jail signs points to where the jail is located, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonA Fulton County Jail signs points to where the jail is located, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Protester Laurie Arbeiter talks with supporters of former President Donald Trump at the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonProtester Laurie Arbeiter talks with supporters of former President Donald Trump at the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
A supporter of former President Donald Trump yells at the media outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonA supporter of former President Donald Trump yells at the media outside of the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBrynn Anderson
Protester Laurie Arbeiter holds up a sign at the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn AndersonProtester Laurie Arbeiter holds up a sign at the Fulton County Jail, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
Laurie Arbeiter came from New York City to be at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Dozens of Trump supporters gathered outside the jail where former President Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in on charges related to his efforts to remain in power after his 2020 election loss. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GrayLaurie Arbeiter came from New York City to be at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Dozens of Trump supporters gathered outside the jail where former President Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in on charges related to his efforts to remain in power after his 2020 election loss. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
Domenic Santana, with Republicans Against Trump, talks to journalists in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GrayDomenic Santana, with Republicans Against Trump, talks to journalists in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
Supporters of former President Donald Trump and journalists gather in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GraySupporters of former President Donald Trump and journalists gather in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
An official stands guard in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GrayAn official stands guard in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clauseBen Gray
Domenic Santana, with Republicans Against Trump, talks to journalists in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Ben GrayDomenic Santana, with Republicans Against Trump, talks to journalists in front of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)