In a recent ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, former President Donald Trump has been disqualified from the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot. The decision has sparked debates and drawn reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.
Karl Rove, a top GOP advisor and former senior advisor during George W. Bush's administration, believes that the court's ruling will only serve to energize Trump's base and increase his fundraising numbers. Rove expressed his views on Fox News' "The Story," stating that the decision appears unfair and inappropriate. He argues that this perceived injustice will lead to a surge in support for the former president and generate more donations from angered individuals.
The 4-3 ruling by Colorado's all-Democrat state Supreme Court cited Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, known as the Insurrection Clause or Disqualification Clause, which prohibits individuals who engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" from holding office. The court's Democrat-appointed justices concluded that Trump's actions on January 6, 2021, constituted direct and voluntary participation in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
However, the Colorado decision has been temporarily put on hold until January 4, allowing Trump's legal team time to file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite the setback, Rove remains confident that Trump will pursue further legal action.
Rove also points out that the Democratic Party risks appearing hypocritical due to the application of the insurrection clause. He highlights the example of former Confederate Vice President Alexander Hamilton Stephens, a Georgia Democrat who was elected to the House of Representatives after the Civil War. Rove suggests that if the insurrection clause had been enforced against Stephens and other former Confederate lawmakers, the Republican Party would have retained a significant majority in the House.
Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah, echoed Rove's concerns. He criticized Democrats for claiming to protect democracy while undemocratically banning opposition candidates from the presidential ballot. Chaffetz argued that these actions were doing more to benefit the Republican Party than anything they could do themselves.
The Colorado ruling against Trump has amplified the ongoing political divisions in the country. Rove believes that it will only strengthen Trump's base and generate more support for his potential candidacy in 2024. As the legal battle continues, the nation awaits the final decision from the U.S. Supreme Court and the potential implications it may have on Trump's political future.
themes: Donald Trump War Georgia Colorado Utah