Colorado Judge Sarah Wallace seeks to determine by Thanksgiving whether the 14th Amendment disqualifies former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential ballot, CNN reported.
On Monday, the judge set an expedited schedule for the case which was initiated by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), representing a bipartisan group of Colorado voters.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold’s office, while not taking a position on the lawsuit, stressed a firm deadline of Jan. 5 for the case resolution. All candidate names for the state’s presidential primary election, scheduled for Mar. 5, must be certified by this date.
Late October will see hearings to examine evidence, hear witnesses, and address challenges to the lawsuit. This timetable suggests a probable ruling by Thanksgiving.
The 14th Amendment stipulates that any U.S. official who has engaged in “insurrection” or “rebellion” or aided insurrectionists, is disqualified from future office. The implementation of this ban remains unclear.
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CREW’s lawsuit in Colorado state court seeks to prevent Griswold from printing ballots with Trump’s name for the GOP primary and the November 2024 general election, should he be the Republican nominee.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and has criticized CREW at recent political events. His campaign spokesperson previously referred to supporters of the 14th Amendment disqualification idea as “stretching the law beyond recognition.”
Judge Wallace anticipates her ruling will be appealed and the U.S. Supreme Court will likely have the final say on these matters ahead of the 2024 election.
Trump’s attorneys, who are expected to file a motion to dismiss this month, argue that the lawsuit infringes upon Trump’s First Amendment rights and claim that CREW is pushing the case forward too hastily.
A similar legal challenge against Trump is underway in Minnesota, and more lawsuits are expected as the 2024 primaries approach.
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