Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) characterized Colorado’s decision barring former President Trump from the state’s primary ballot as “chilling” and unfounded. He added that it was a “political judgment” rather than a law-based determination.
Last week, the Colorado Supreme Court delivered a stunning 4-3 decision upholding the 14th Amendment’s prohibition on persons who have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding certain positions, thus disqualifying Trump from appearing on the state’s ballot.
In a ruling handed down by the court, it was determined that Trump was complicit in the riots that broke out on January 6, 2021, when his followers brutally invaded the Capitol to stop Congress from recognizing Biden’s victory. Trump still maintains he was the rightful victor, and the Biden camp cheated.
The court in Colorado found that Trump violated the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause by trying to instigate political violence and by rallying supporters to the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the 2020 election results. The highest court in the land reversed a previous court’s ruling and said the provision also covers the presidency.
Graham is one of several Republican legislators who have said the decision is an effort by Democrats to derail Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign. Some have mentioned that all seven members of Colorado’s supreme court were nominated by Democratic governors, even though three of those justices ultimately sided with Trump.
The Republican from South Carolina expressed his belief that the decision lacks “any constitutional foundation” and is expected to be easily upheld by the US Supreme Court.
The Trump team has already promised to take the Colorado verdict to the Supreme Court, where conservatives have a 6-3 majority. During Trump’s presidency, three of the present justices were appointed.
Whether Trump’s claims of 2020 election fraud are “not establishing the correct bar,” Graham said that Trump is not the first leader to deny a fair election.
While arguing that the Colorado decision lacks a legal foundation, Graham cautioned Trump from dwelling on the 2020 presidential election, which Trump claims was illegitimate.
