The US Supreme Court has given a boost to Donald Trump’s presidential election campaign after ruling that states cannot kick him off the ballot for his actions over the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
America’s highest court reversed a decision of the Colorado Supreme Court, which had determined Trump could not serve again as president under a rarely-used constitutional provision.
The US Supreme Court has now ruled unanimously that states cannot keep presidential candidates from appearing on ballots without action from Congress first.
The latest ruling applies to all states, not just Colorado, and it means efforts to remove him from ballots in places such as Maine and Illinois – which had been on hold pending today’s decision – will also come to an end.
Speaking after the decision was announced, the former president said: “Essentially, you cannot take somebody out of the race because an opponent would like to have it that way.
“It has nothing to do with the fact that it’s the leading candidate, whether it was the leading candidate or a candidate that was well down on the totem pole.”
Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic president Joe Biden in November’s US election.
Section 3 of the constitution’s 14th amendment prohibits those who previously held government positions but later “engaged in insurrection” from running for various offices.
The court in Washington DC ruled the Colorado Supreme Court had wrongly assumed states can determine if a presidential candidate or other candidate for federal office is ineligible.
The latest ruling makes it clear that Congress, rather than states, has to set rules on how the 14th amendment provision can be enforced.
Trump also called for presidents to have immunity from prosecution, saying: “If a president doesn’t have full immunity, you really don’t have a president because nobody that is serving in that office will have the courage to make, in many cases, what would be the right decision, or it could be the wrong decision.”
His only remaining rival for his party’s nomination is former South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley.
The former president’s eligibility had been challenged in court by a group of six voters in Colorado – four Republicans and two independents – who portrayed him as a threat to American democracy and sought to hold him accountable for the 6 January riots in 2021.
In a bid to prevent Congress from certifying Mr Biden’s 2020 election victory, Trump supporters attacked police, broke through barricades and swarmed the Capitol.
The Colorado Supreme Court said last December that Trump could not stand for election in the state because he had “engaged in insurrection or rebellion”.
The judges there ruled Trump was disqualified because he had incited the 6 January riot.
Read more:
The storming of the Capitol – how the violence unfolded
What is Super Tuesday – and why does it matter so much?
Nikki Haley makes history with Washington DC victory
The Supreme Court, whose 6-3 conservative majority includes three Trump appointees, said on Monday: “We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office.
“But states have no power under the constitution to enforce section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the presidency.”
The ruling came on the eve of Super Tuesday – the day in the US presidential primary cycle when the most states hold party nominating contests.
This is a dangerous decision that will only further erode the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches. It is clear that the Supreme Court is now a political body, and it is no longer capable of impartially interpreting the law.
This is a great victory for President Trump and for the rule of law. The Supreme Court has once again affirmed that the president is not above the law, but he is also not below it. This decision will help to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that all Americans have a fair and equal voice in our democracy.
This is a victory for justice! The Supreme Court has finally recognized that the president is not above the law. This decision will help to restore the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches, and it will ensure that all Americans are equal before the law.
I can’t believe this! The Supreme Court has ruled that the president is a giant orange cheeto. This is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard! I can’t wait to see how this plays out in the courts.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a reminder that the law is not always black and white. There are many shades of gray, and it is often difficult to determine what the right answer is. This decision will undoubtedly be debated for years to come.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a complex one with far-reaching implications. It is important to remember that this is just one decision, and it does not necessarily mean that the president is immune from all prosecution. The full impact of this decision will not be known for some time.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a complex one with far-reaching implications. It is important to remember that this is just one decision, and it does not necessarily mean that the president is immune from all prosecution. The full impact of this decision will not be known for some time.
I’m not sure what to make of this decision. On the one hand, it seems like a victory for the rule of law. On the other hand, it could also be seen as a blow to the separation of powers. I’m going to need to do more research before I can form an opinion.
This is a major victory for President Trump. The Supreme Court has once again affirmed that the president is not above the law, but he is also not below it. This decision will help to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that all Americans have a fair and equal voice in our democracy.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for the rule of law. It is clear that the president is not above the law, but he is also not below it. This decision will help to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that all Americans have a fair and equal voice in our democracy.
Oh, so now the president is above the law? This is just another example of how our government is broken. The Supreme Court has lost all credibility, and it is clear that we need to find a new way to interpret the law.