Efforts to remove Donald Trump from 2024 ballots in Maine, Illinois, and Colorado have been halted following a unanimous ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Colorado Supreme Court had argued that Trump's actions on January 6 violated the insurrectionist clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. However, the U.S. Supreme Court justices unanimously agreed that individual states cannot unilaterally remove Trump from their ballots.
The justices emphasized that it is not within the states' authority to enforce the 14th Amendment, highlighting the need for a consistent approach nationwide. The ruling, with a rare 9-0 decision, clarified that only Congress, not individual states, can enforce such constitutional provisions.
While two concurring opinions were issued, the core agreement among all justices was that state actions in this matter are not permissible. The disagreement centered on whether enforcement could solely rest with Congress or involve other federal entities.
The ruling did not delve into determining whether Trump's actions qualified as insurrection, as the Supreme Court typically does not make factual findings. The decision focused on legal and procedural aspects rather than factual assessments.
Looking ahead, the Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments next month on Trump's claim of presidential immunity for potential crimes committed during his term. While most observers anticipate a ruling against Trump, there is a nuanced argument regarding immunity for actions within the scope of the presidency.
Despite the expedited ruling on the Colorado case, the Supreme Court has scheduled a longer timeline for the immunity question. The expedited schedule indicates a potential ruling in June, leaving a narrow window for any subsequent legal proceedings before the 2024 election.
