Republican Candidate Withdraws from Primary in Protest
In a surprising turn of events, the Colorado Supreme Court has declared former President Donald Trump ineligible for the White House under the insurrection clause and removed him from the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot. This decision has ignited a firestorm of controversy and is expected to lead to a legal battle in the nation’s highest court.
Republican Party Vows to Withdraw from Primary
Following the court’s ruling, one Republican candidate, Rishi Ramaswamy, pledged to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary ballot in protest. He demanded that fellow candidates Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley do the same, arguing that allowing this decision to stand would have disastrous consequences for the country. In response, the Colorado Republican Party assured Ramaswamy that they would withdraw from the primary as a party and convert to a pure caucus system.
Historic Use of 14th Amendment to Disqualify a Candidate
This unprecedented decision by a court comprised of justices appointed by Democratic governors marks the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been utilized to disqualify a candidate. The court’s majority emphasized the gravity of their decision and their commitment to upholding the law without being swayed by public opinion.
Showdown Expected in the U.S. Supreme Court
The Colorado Supreme Court has stayed its decision until January 4, awaiting a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. The outcome of this case will ultimately determine whether Trump, the front-runner for the GOP nomination, can continue his campaign. Colorado officials have stressed the urgency of resolving the matter by January 5, as it is the deadline for the state to print its presidential primary ballots.
Outrage and Criticism from Republicans
Republicans and other allies of Trump have condemned the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, viewing it as a politically motivated move. Many argue that this is an attack on the democratic process and an infringement on the rights of voters who support Trump. The controversy surrounding this case is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, as it heads to the highest court in the land.
Fox News’ Bradford Betz, Bill Mears, Adam Sabes, and The Associated Press have contributed to this report.