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By Andrew Stanton
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Donald Trump is facing challenges to his candidacy in several states after Colorado's Supreme Court removed him from the 2024 primary ballot on Tuesday.
The court's 4-3 ruling determined that Trump, the clear front-runner for the GOP nomination, is ineligible to appear on the state's ballot because of his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. His speech to his supporters that morning was followed by a violent protest in which rioters illegally entered the Capitol building in an attempt to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.
The court ruled Tuesday that the former president's actions violated Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, which bars any individual from holding federal or state office who has "engaged in insurrection."
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Trump has sharply criticized the decision, maintaining that he did not engage in an insurrection and accusing the court of election interference. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump's campaign, slammed the decision in a statement Tuesday*.*
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He said: "Unsurprisingly, the all-Democrat appointed Colorado Supreme Court has ruled against President Trump, supporting a Soros-funded, left-wing group's scheme to interfere in an election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden by removing President Trump's name from the ballot and eliminating the rights of Colorado voters to vote for the candidate of their choice," Cheung said in a statement.
The Colorado Supreme Court's ruling applies only to the March 5 Republican primary but could affect his ability to run on the general election ballot. Colorado is seen as a Democratic state, making it unlikely Trump would win there regardless. But challenges in more competitive states could have a larger impact on the 2024 election.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment via email.
Here is an overview of where the cases stand in Colorado and other states.
Colorado
Cheung said the Trump campaign will appeal the state court's decision, meaning the case is expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Legal experts previously told Newsweek the Supreme Court may overturn the Colorado ruling, given the composition of the high court. The Supreme Court has six Republican justices, three of whom were appointed by Trump, and three Democrats.
Arizona
Trump has faced a challenge in the crucial swing state of Arizona filed by Republican presidential candidate John Castro. But U.S. District Judge Douglas Rayes ruled earlier this month that the challenge has no "standing" because Castro is "not genuinely competing" with Trump for votes in the GOP primary.
Castro has filed other legal challenges to Trump's candidacy across the country, but his presidential campaign has not gained traction.
"After careful consideration, the Court finds that this case must be dismissed for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction because Castro lacks standing to bring his claim," Rayes' ruling reads.
California
On Wednesday, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis wrote a letter to Secretary of State Shirley Weber urging her to "explore every legal option" to remove Trump from the ballot, citing the Colorado case.
"California must stand on the right side of history," Kounalakis wrote. "California is obligated to determine if Trump is ineligible for the California ballot for the same reasons described in [Anderson v. Griswold]. The Colorado decision can be the basis for a similar decision here in our state."
Maine
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is reviewing a case to remove Trump from the primary ballot. A decision was expected Friday but was delayed because of the Colorado ruling and technical difficulties.
A decision is expected next week, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Michigan
Michigan, a battleground state, has also considered a challenge to Trump's candidacy. But the state's Court of Appeals has allowed him to remain on the primary ballot, rejecting challenges to his candidacy.
The appeals court ruled that the Republican Party has control over who can appear on the primary ballot, regardless of whether candidates are qualified for the office.
However, the liberal organization Free Speech for the People has appealed the ruling, which means the case could go to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Minnesota
Minnesota's Supreme Court similarly ruled that the Republican Party can decide which candidates can appear on the primary ballot. However, the court also noted that plaintiffs could file a separate challenge after the August 13 primary should Trump win the nomination for the general election.
Rhode Island
An attempt to remove Trump from the Republican primary ballot failed in Democratic Rhode Island, where U.S. District Court Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. determined that Castro did not prove he was a "direct and current competitor at the time that he filed his complaint" and could therefore not prove injury.
Other States Where Trump Faces Ballot Challenges
Lawsuits have been filed in several other states: Alaska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont and Virginia.
Castro has also withdrawn challenges in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Utah.
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