Trump Urges SCOTUS to Reverse Colorado Ballot Removal

Facts

• Lawyers for Republican former Pres. Donald Trump on Thursday filed a brief with the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) asking the justices to overturn a Dec.19 Colorado Supreme Court ruling that removed him from the Republican primary ballot in that state.¹
• The Colorado court said Trump's actions before and during the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, but Trump's lawyers argue he wasn't subject to the clause because as president he wasn't an 'officer of the United States.'²
• They also argue Trump didn't engage in acts that qualify as 'insurrection.' The 59-page brief asks SCOTUS to 'put a swift and decisive end to these ballot-disqualification efforts' that are disenfranchising tens of millions of Americans.³
• The brief warns that 'chaos and bedlam' would be unleashed if other state courts and officials follow Colorado and exclude the favorite for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination from their ballots. Trump's attorneys will argue in front of SCOTUS on Feb. 8.²
• Meanwhile, 177 Congressional Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), signed onto an amicus brief in support of Trump. The brief argues that the Colorado decision applied a too-wide interpretation of the 14th Amendment and 'encroaches' on congressional authority.⁴
• In addition, Maine’s Secretary of State removed Trump from that state's ballot after the Colorado decision, but both decisions are on hold awaiting a SCOTUS ruling. Officials in other states are also awaiting a resolution before deciding on Trump’s ballot status.⁵

Sources: ¹NBC, ²CBS, ³New York Post, ⁴The Post Millennial and ⁵CNN.

Narratives

• Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. It's obvious that rabid partisans from the left are attempting to derail Trump's reelection. This is unlawful and immoral. Millions of Americans will be denied their right to vote for the Republican frontrunner, and the faith of the electorate in the system will be lost, if SCOTUS doesn't reverse this injustice.
• Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Arguing that a president doesn't swear to 'support the Constitution' is a laughable argument that shows Trump's desperation. This brief is full of weak and unrelated arguments because when it comes down to it Trump violated Section 3 and should have to face the consequences of his actions.

Predictions