SCOTUS Appears Skeptical of Colorado's Decision to Remove Trump From Ballot

During arguments Thursday, the Supreme Court appeared skeptical of Colorado’s ruling that removed 2024 GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trump from the state’s ballot.

The Arguments: Trump’s legal team focused on three key points in opposition to Colorado’s ruling, arguing that Congress alone could enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, that the President of the United States was not included within the scope of the disqualification provision, and that Trump’s actions did not meet the criteria to classify as an insurrection. The legal team for the group of Colorado voters who brought the case disputed these points, argued that there is enough evidence to deem the Jan. 6 Capitol riot an insurrection and implicate Trump as a participant in it while disputing both the notion that the president is exempt from Section 3 and the claim that the provision requires congressional legislation.

The Justices: Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed by President George W. Bush, stated that the Colorado ruling could lead to more states deeming candidates ineligible, warning that it “will come down to just a handful of states that are going to decide the presidential election. That's a pretty daunting consequence.” Justice Elena Kagan, appointed by President Barack Obama, stated, “I think that the question that you have to confront is why a single state should decide who gets to be president of the United States.”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum reported that the Justices appeared skeptical of the ineligibility argument and appeared to be leaning in favor of overturning it.