A pivotal Supreme Court ruling is anticipated as early as Monday in the case concerning former President Donald Trump's eligibility to appear on the ballot following his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. The case revolves around a groundbreaking decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, which deemed Trump disqualified from seeking the presidency again and ineligible for the upcoming state primary scheduled for Tuesday.
The resolution of this case on Monday, just ahead of Super Tuesday contests in 16 states, will provide clarity on whether votes cast for Trump, the prominent Republican candidate, will be valid. Both parties involved in the case had urged the court for a swift decision, with arguments presented less than a month ago on February 8.
The Colorado Supreme Court's ruling marked the first instance of invoking a post-Civil War constitutional provision, specifically Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, designed to prevent individuals who participated in insurrection from holding public office. Trump has also faced ballot disqualifications in Illinois and Maine, pending the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision.
Notably, the Supreme Court has never before ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, adding significance to the impending judgment. While the court typically announces decisions on days when sessions are held, the next scheduled session is not until March 15. Opinions are expected to be published on the court's website shortly after 10 a.m. EST on Monday.
In a separate development, the Supreme Court recently agreed to hear arguments in late April regarding potential criminal prosecution of Trump on charges related to election interference, including his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This decision raises questions about the possibility of Trump facing trial before the November election, as he currently faces 91 criminal charges across four legal proceedings.
One of the imminent trials is in New York, where Trump is accused of falsifying business records in connection with payments to a porn actor. The trial is scheduled for March 25, and the presiding judge has signaled a readiness to proceed with the case.
