Staff Reports
Hearings have commenced in an attempt to remove former President Donald Trump from the ballot in a key swing state, and it’s no surprise that the judge overseeing the case was appointed by Colorado’s Democratic governor. Judge Sarah Wallace, who was appointed by Governor Jared Polis in August 2022, is presiding over the proceedings in a Denver courtroom. The legal challenge against Trump is just the latest in a series of actions taken against him and his Republican allies who dared to question the certification of the 2020 election.
Trial to Remove Trump from Ballot Begins – Guess Who Appointed Judge Hearing the Case? https://t.co/3b1jztSt0C
— Bob Cundiff, PhD (@drbcundiff) October 31, 2023
Although Democratic politicians have historically challenged election results when they lose, the media conveniently overlooks this fact in light of the Capitol incursion. Now, a group of plaintiffs, including six Colorado voters and the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, claim that Trump should be barred from the ballot because of a little-known clause in the 14th Amendment that prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding federal office. The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s efforts to overturn the election and his role in the Capitol attack make him ineligible to run for president again.
While similar cases have failed to gain traction in the past, this Colorado case represents a more significant challenge to the Trump campaign. It is the first case filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and it has already seen success in removing a county commissioner in New Mexico who participated in the January 6 attack. However, it is worth noting that there is a clear difference between a small-time politician and a presidential frontrunner like Trump. Opening arguments in the case began on Monday, and the outcome could potentially have repercussions all the way to the Supreme Court.
In terms of current polling data, President Joe Biden holds a slight lead over Trump in hypothetical matchups in Colorado, according to FiveThirtyEight. However, the state has a history of surprising election results, so it is anyone’s game. Judge Wallace has stated that she will not address arguments concerning whether Trump engaged in an insurrection until the hearing scheduled for October 30, 2023. Considering her appointment by a Democratic governor, this could spell trouble for the political opposition if they are kicked off the ballot and the case makes its way to the Supreme Court.
