Judge Rejects Trump's Attempt to Drop Lawsuit to Keep Him Off the Colorado Ballot in 2024
Former President Donald Trump's legal woes continue as a Colorado judge has rejected his latest attempt to have a lawsuit against him dismissed.
The lawsuit, filed by voters represented by the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), seeks to have Trump's name removed from the ballot in the 2024 election. The lawsuit is based on Section III of the Fourteenth Amendment, which disqualifies anyone who engaged in rebellion or provided aid to insurrectionists from holding office.
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The ruling, issued by 2nd Judicial District Judge Sarah Wallace on Oct. 20, is the latest development in a legal battle that is set to go to trial on Oct. 30. The voters argue that Trump's actions leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021, when the Capitol was stormed by supporters attempting to overturn the election results, make him ineligible for office under Section III of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Despite several attempts by Trump's attorneys to have the case thrown out, Judge Wallace has repeatedly denied their motions. In her recent 24-page ruling, she rebuffed Trump's claims that the lawsuit violates his First Amendment rights and that the Colorado Secretary of State lacks the authority to remove his name from the ballot.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold on CNN. the trial is expected to begin in Colorado on Oct. 30, that same week on Nov. 2, an organization known as Free Speech for the People will have its Section III disqualification hearing for Trump in the Minnesota State Supreme Court.
CREW, which represents six Republican voters and one independent voter, has expressed satisfaction with the ruling and looks forward to presenting their case at next week's trial. On the other hand, the Colorado GOP, who filed a filing in support of Trump, were also rejected by Judge Wallace. She ruled that allowing a political party to determine eligibility for office would lead to chaos and is not in line with the Constitution.
The trial is set to address questions about Trump's eligibility under Section III and the definition of an "insurrection." CREW has also requested that Trump be deposed, but the judge has yet to make a decision on that matter.
READ MORE:
LAWSUIT FILED TO BLOCK DONALD TRUMP'S BALLOT ACCESS IN COLORADO
COULD COLORADO KEEP TRUMP OFF 2024 BALLOT UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT?
FLORIDA JUDGE REJECTS 14TH AMENDMENT CHALLENGE TO TRUMP CANDIDACY
EX-SECRETARY OF STATE TAKES THE STAND TO PROTECT HIS RIGHT TO RUN IN COLORADO
Meanwhile, in a separate case in Minnesota, another group representing voters has asked the state's Secretary, Steve Simon, to remove Trump from the ballot. Simon has stated that he does not have the authority to do so, but has asked the state's Supreme Court to make a decision by Jan. 5, to allow time for ballot preparation.
This isn't the only lawsuit facing Trump, who also faces four criminal indictments, including one for conspiring to subvert the 2020 election. Despite these legal challenges, Trump's 2024 campaign spokespeople remain confident in his chances and are prepared to take the case to the Supreme Court if needed.