Colorado Judge Rules Trump ‘Incited’ Insurrection, but Will Remain on State Primary Ballot

A district court judge in Colorado ruled that Former President Donald Trump incited an insurrection against the Constitution on January 6, 2021, but will remain on the state’s primary election ballot.

The Details: A Colorado lawsuit filed in September by the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and six Colorado voters attempted to remove Trump from the ballot by claiming he violated the 14th Amendment. The amendment prevents those who incite an insurrection from holding office, but the court deemed it does not clarify whether the president is subject to this.

For Context: Earlier this week, a judge in Michigan ruled that Trump would not be left off the state’s ballot because of the 14th Amendment, a decision that has previously been arrived to in Minnesota and New Hampshire as well.

Key Quotes: Judge Sarah B. Wallace, said the court is reluctant “to embrace an interpretation which would disqualify a presidential candidate without a clear, unmistakable indication that such is the intent of Section 3.” Mario Nicolais, an attorney representing the six Colorado voters, said, “The court found that Donald Trump engaged in insurrection… We are very pleased with the opinion.”

How The Media Covered It: Fox News (Right bias) described CREW as “a left-wing organization that often targets Republicans.” New York Times (Lean Left bias) and The Hill (Center bias) did not give context on CREW. The Hill reported that of the voters who brought the suit, four are Republicans, and two are Independents.