The Colorado Supreme Court made a groundbreaking decision on Tuesday, declaring former President Donald Trump ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitution's insurrection clause. This ruling marks the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate.

The court's decision, which was made by a majority of justices appointed by Democratic governors, removes Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot. However, the court stayed its decision until January 4, or until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the case, allowing time for Trump's attorneys to appeal the ruling.

The ruling stems from Trump's alleged role in inciting the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. A district court judge had previously ruled that Trump incited an insurrection but could not be barred from the ballot because it was unclear if the provision applied to the presidency. However, the Colorado Supreme Court disagreed and sided with attorneys for six Colorado Republican and unaffiliated voters who argued that it would be nonsensical to exclude former Confederate rebels from low-level offices but not from the highest office in the land.

Trump's campaign has promised to appeal any disqualification to the U.S. Supreme Court, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown over his eligibility to run in the 2024 presidential election. The Colorado case is seen as a significant threat to Trump's campaign, as more courts and election officials may follow suit and exclude him from must-win states.

While Trump lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and doesn't need the state to win the next presidential election, the danger lies in the potential domino effect of other states following Colorado's lead. Colorado officials have stated that the issue must be settled by January 5, the deadline for the state to print its presidential primary ballots.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, enacted in 1868, was designed to prevent former Confederate civil and military officeholders from serving in government. It has rarely been utilized in modern times, and never against a former president. Lawsuits challenging Trump's candidacy under Section 3 have been filed in more than 25 states, making it a contentious legal issue leading up to the 2024 election.

The Colorado Supreme Court's ruling is seen as a significant victory for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of four Republican voters and two unaffiliated voters. Noah Bookbinder, the group's president, praised the decision as necessary to protect the future of democracy in the country.

As the legal battles continue, the fate of Trump's candidacy will ultimately be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court. The nation's highest court will have the final say on whether Trump can remain in the race, and its ruling will have far-reaching implications for the 2024 presidential election.