In a landmark ruling on Tuesday night, the Colorado Supreme Court declared former President Donald Trump ineligible for the US presidency under the constitution's insurrection clause. The court's decision stems from accusations that Trump supported an insurrection by inciting riots at the US Capitol Building in an attempt to overturn the election results after losing the 2020 US election. President Joe Biden, commenting on the ruling, stated that there was "no question" that Trump supported an insurrection. However, Biden did not address the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to remove Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot.

Biden, referring to his likely Republican opponent in the upcoming election, emphasized that the courts would ultimately decide whether the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding office, applies to Trump. Nevertheless, Biden reiterated his belief that Trump supported an insurrection and criticized him for doubling down on his claims. Trump has consistently alleged, without evidence, that voter fraud caused his election defeat.

Responding to federal prosecutors' request for an immediate review of his claim that he cannot be prosecuted for attempting to reverse the election result, Trump called on the Supreme Court to reject the plea. This sets the stage for a potential showdown in the US Supreme Court, the ultimate authority on constitutional matters. The outcome of this legal battle will determine whether Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, can continue his bid for the presidency. Trump's campaign has already announced its intention to appeal the Colorado Supreme Court's decision, which they deemed "completely flawed," to the US Supreme Court.

The Colorado Supreme Court's ruling is based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which the court interpreted as disqualifying Trump from serving as president. This provision prevents individuals who have previously taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against it from holding office. Notably, this is the first time in US history that Section 3 has been utilized to exclude a candidate from the ballot. Numerous lawsuits have been filed across state and federal courts seeking to disqualify Trump under this constitutional provision, which was primarily aimed at preventing former Confederates from returning to government after the Civil War. It is worth mentioning that Trump remains eligible to run in the rest of the country.

While Biden has consistently condemned Trump and characterized him as a threat to democracy, his administration has taken a less opinionated stance regarding the legal challenges Trump faces. The president's press secretary emphasized that the administration is not involved in the legal process and sees it as a matter for the courts to decide.

The Trump campaign has swiftly responded to the Colorado Supreme Court's decision, vowing to appeal the ruling. Dozens of lawsuits nationwide have been filed seeking to disqualify Trump from running again under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The former president's campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, criticized the ruling, stating that it was "completely flawed" and undemocratic. It is worth noting that all of the Colorado Supreme Court justices who issued the ruling were appointed by Democratic governors.

The impact of this ruling extends beyond Colorado's primary election. Election officials and courts in other states may follow Colorado's lead and exclude Trump from being on the ballot in crucial swing states. Although Trump does not need Colorado to win the upcoming election, the potential exclusion from other states could pose a significant challenge to his presidential aspirations in 2024. The deadline for Colorado to print its presidential primary ballots is January 5th, placing further urgency on the matter. As the legal labyrinth facing the former president unfolds, it remains uncertain how this ruling will ultimately shape the landscape of the 2024 presidential race.