In a surprising decision, Denver District Court Judge Sarah Wallace ruled that former President Donald Trump did participate in an insurrection but can still be included on the Colorado primary ballot. Colorado Secretary of State expressed her astonishment in an interview with Jen Psaki, highlighting the absence of constitutional protection against a “rogue insurrectionist President.” Despite this, she indicated a sense of optimism regarding the potential outcome of an appeal.
Ensuring Free and Fair Elections
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold released a statement shortly after the ruling, “The Court determined that Donald Trump is eligible to be placed on the Colorado ballot in the March Presidential Primary. This decision may be appealed. As Secretary of State, I will always ensure that every voter can make their voice heard in free and fair elections.”
The Intent of Section Three Was in Question
As part of Judge Wallace’s ruling, she stated, “Part of the Court’s decision is its reluctance to embrace an interpretation which would disqualify a Presidential candidate without a clear, unmistakable indication that such is the intent of Section Three.”
Trump Engaged in Insurrection Through Incitement
Wallace also stated that she did, in fact, find that Trump had engaged in insurrection, saying, “…the Court finds that Petitioners have established that Trump engaged in an insurrection on January 6, 2021, through incitement, and that the first amendment does not protect Trump’s speech.”
Big News for the Entire Country
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold appeared in an interview with Jen Psaki to discuss the recent revelations. “Having the court say that Donald Trump engaged in insurrection is big news for the entire country,” stated Psaki. Griswold responded by stating, “Donald Trump is a danger to American democracy, and that’s something that is really novel about this case is that the judge decided that…”
Whatever Order Is in Place Will Be Followed
Griswold stated that she was surprised over Judge Wallace’s ruling but implied she was optimistic in the event of an appeal by the plaintiffs. She told Psaki, “but ultimately, she has ordered me to put him on the ballot, and I will, of course, follow whatever court order is in place by the time I certify the ballot.”
A President Is Not an Officer of the US
Psaki commented that the Judge’s ruling that the former President engaged in insurrection was “significant, “ as was the judge’s decision that “Trump as President was not an officer of the United States.” “Did that surprise you?” Psaki asked the Colorado Secretary of State. “Honestly, yes,” she replied. Griswold went on to explain “the idea that if you are a soldier or a congressperson, a US Senator, that if you engage in insurrection, you cant be qualified to sit in office again.”
A Potentially Dangerous Precedent
“but the US president can engage in insurrection and be President again. I think it is a potentially dangerous precedent. The Presidency is the most powerful office in this nation,” She declared.
No Protection Against Rogue Insurrectionist Presidents
Griswold then proceeded to highlight her point: “The idea that the US Constitution does not protect against a rogue insurrectionist President, I think, is a big concept.”
A Judicial Process With an Opportunity to Appeal
Griswold then moved the conversation with Psaki back to the topic of an appeal. “…you know, it’s a judicial process. There are days to appeal; petitioners could appeal, but Donald Trump could appeal also. He might not like being called an insurrectionist by this court and could very well file an appeal.” Psaki claimed that Trump’s filing of an appeal would be “a very interesting development.”
The Supreme Court Would Act Quickly
Psaki then asked Griswold about the timeline for the appeal. The Colorado Secretary of State explained that all parties had a three-day deadline to appeal the district court’s decision and further stated that she believed “ the Supreme Court would act quickly.”
Voters Still Have a Chance to Save Democracy
She further explained that certification for the Presidential primary in the state was on January 5th, stating there “was plenty time,” and further noted that the Denver district court had “really understood the urgency” of the case and “pushed the trial quickly.” Griswold further explained that “regardless of whether Trump is on the ballot or not, American voters have all the opportunity to save American democracy.”
Americans Are Good People
Griswold was optimistic overall, believing democracy would be safe “because Americans are good people.”
The First Time a President Engaged in Insurrection
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed the lawsuit on behalf of six Republican voters who argued that Trump must be removed from the Colorado Republican primary. CREW President Noah Bookbinder released a statement in response to the ruling, “The court’s decision affirms what our clients alleged in this lawsuit: that Donald Trump engaged in insurrection based on his role in January 6th.”
It Is Not the End
Bookbinder continued his statement, “We are proud to have brought this historic case and know we are right on the facts and right on the law. When we filed this case, we knew it likely would not end at the district court level. We will be filing an appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court shortly. Today was not the end of this effort, but another step along the way.”
Plaintiffs Look Forward to an Appeal
The attorney for the Plaintiffs, Mario Nicolais, also stated that they will be appealing the Judge’s decision, “we are very pleased with the opinion and look forward to addressing the sole legal issue on appeal, namely whether Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment applies to insurrectionist presidents.”
Voters Can Choose, and That’s What Matters
Trump’s attorney also responded to the Colorado ruling. Scott Gessler stated, “At the end of the day, Colorado voters are going to be able to choose who they want for President, and that’s what matters,”
A Win for Trump?
Gessler also declared that the ruling was a win for Trump. “The Judge threw a lot of shade on President Trump, and you know, we’d rather not have that. At the end of the day, though, we won this,” he declared.
Another Nail in the Coffin of the Un-American Ballot Challenges
Trump’s campaign team also released comments stating they “applauded” the ruling and called it “another nail in the coffin of the un-American ballot challenges.”
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