Donald Trump files an appeal: the Supreme Court agrees to examine the question of his ineligibility in Colorado

Donald Trump lors d'un meeting dans le New Hampshire, le 16 décembre 2023. AMANDA SABGA – EPA/MaxPPP

The Supreme Court of the United States agreed on Friday, January 5, 2024 to study the appeal filed by Donald Trump against the decision rendered last month by Colorado, which bans the former president American to appear on the ballot in the Republican primary in the state.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled on December 19, 2023 that Donald Trump could not appear on the ballot in the Republican primary in the state due to his role in the events of the 6 January 2021.

Colorado's highest court based its decision on a provision of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting anyone who has taken part in "insurrection or rebellion” to exercise public functions.

A ruling from the Supreme Court of the United States could settle the question of the eligibility of Donald Trump, who remains the favorite for the nomination of the Republican Party despite his legal setbacks.

États-Unis : la Cour suprême va examiner la question de l'inéligibilité de Donald Trump dans le Colorado
➡️ https://t.co/s0OSTd7ufy pic.twitter.com/74UIx7Q1qA

— LCI (@LCI) January 5, 2024

A quick decision expected

The judges of the Supreme Court took up the case with unusual speed, Donald Trump having only filed his appeal on Wednesday.

They indicated that they would make a quick decision and that the pleadings would take place on February 8. The Republican primary in Colorado is scheduled for March 5.

This case forces the Supreme Court, three of whose nine judges were appointed by Donald Trump, to rule on his eligibility, while many of the former president's detractors hope to see his application invalidated.

Donald Trump also appealed to a Maine court a similar decision made last month in that state. Joe Biden on Friday accused Donald Trump, his likely rival in next November's presidential election, of wanting to sacrifice American democracy for personal gain and of seeking revenge on his political adversaries.