In a groundbreaking legal battle, the US Supreme Court is currently immersed in oral arguments over the eligibility of former President Donald Trump for a potential second term in the White House. This pivotal case, labeled Trump v. Anderson, places the nine justices in uncharted legal territory and holds significant implications for the upcoming 2024 presidential race.
The heart of the matter revolves around whether Trump, based on his conduct related to the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol, is disqualified from seeking the presidency again. The outcome of this case is poised to resonate across all 50 states, potentially determining whether Trump’s name can appear on primary and general election ballots.
Live-streamed audio of the oral arguments is available, with a scheduled allotment of eighty minutes for the proceedings, although it is anticipated that the arguments may extend beyond this timeframe. Representing Trump is Jonathan Mitchell, a Texas-based attorney, while Jason Murray, practicing in Denver, advocates for six Colorado voters challenging Trump’s eligibility. Colorado Solicitor General Shannon Stevenson will also present arguments on behalf of Secretary of State Jena Griswold.
The legal dispute originated from a lawsuit filed by Colorado voters in the fall, invoking a rarely used provision of a constitutional amendment passed in 1868, designed to prevent former Confederates from holding public office. Referred to as the insurrection clause, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment had never been employed in the nation’s history to disqualify a presidential candidate. However, in a historic decision in December, the Colorado Supreme Court, with a 4-3 split, concluded that Trump was ineligible for office due to his actions on January 6. Consequently, the court ordered the exclusion of his name from the state’s GOP presidential primary ballot.
