Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, a Washington-based watchdog group, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday aiming to prevent former President Donald Trump from appearing on Colorado’s 2024 ballot.
The suit, brought on behalf of a group of voters, invokes Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, citing Trump’s alleged involvement in the January 6th U.S. Capitol attack.
This lawsuit, although quickly dismissed by Trump’s team, signifies one of the initial substantial challenges to Trump’s eligibility as a presidential candidate, centering on a 14th Amendment argument.
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment stipulates that an individual cannot hold future office if, during a previous term, they engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution or provided aid to its enemies unless granted amnesty by a two-thirds vote of Congress.
Proponents of this argument contend that it applies to Trump due to his actions following the 2020 election, where he sought to overturn the results. Prior attempts to employ this argument against other Republicans had failed, but last year, CREW successfully pushed to remove a county official in New Mexico convicted of trespassing during the Capitol attack.
READ ALSO: Trump Inflated His Net Worth by $2.2 billion Since 2011 – New York Attorney General
The lawsuit was filed by six Colorado voters, including former state, federal, and local officials, accusing Trump of inciting and assisting the mob that stormed the Capitol two years ago. Although the House impeached him for the same, he was acquitted by the Senate, maintaining his innocence.
CREW President Noah Bookbinder stressed the importance of this lawsuit in defending the republic.
Trump has vehemently denied wrongdoing and labeled efforts to disqualify him under the 14th Amendment as “election interference.“
In response, a Trump campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, criticized the lawsuit, stating that it stretches the law beyond recognition.
A broader campaign is underway to challenge Trump’s candidacy in various states based on the 14th Amendment.
Sen. Tim Kaine acknowledged the brewing legal battle and predicted that it would likely be resolved in the courts.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, expressed anticipation for a substantive resolution from Colorado courts regarding Trump’s eligibility as a candidate.
According to Griswold’s office, no candidates have currently qualified for the presidential primary ballot in Colorado.
Griswold, as the state’s chief elections official, is named as a defendant in the CREW lawsuit, along with Trump.