Donald Trump Denies Being an Insurrectionist After Colorado Supreme Court’s Decision to Remove Him from 2024 Primary Election Ballot

Former President Donald Trump has responded to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove him from the state’s 2024 primary election ballot, saying he is “not an insurrectionist”. The court had said Tuesday that Trump is disqualified from appearing on state ballots as he seeks to retake the White House, due to the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which bars insurrectionists from holding office.

When asked if Trump is an insurrectionist, President Joe Biden called it “self-evident”. The Colorado high court on Tuesday barred Trump from appearing on the state’s primary ballot because of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, also known as the Constitution’s insurrectionist clause.

On Wednesday, President Biden said that former President Trump supported an insurrection against the U.S. government when Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election result. Trump responded to this statement on Twitter, writing “I’m not an Insurrectionist (“PEACEFULLY & PATRIOTICALLY”), Crooked Joe Biden is!!!”

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that “No person shall … hold any office, civil or military, under the United States … who, having previously taken an oath … as an officer of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same”. It is yet to be seen if the court will decide that the 14th Amendment applies to Trump’s case.

The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove Trump from the state’s 2024 primary election ballot has sparked a debate over whether or not Trump is an insurrectionist. President Biden has called it “self-evident” while Trump has denied the accusation. It remains to be seen if the court will decide that the 14th Amendment applies to Trump’s case.