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The Colorado Supreme Court delivered a groundbreaking decision on Tuesday, disqualifying former US President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential election. The ruling, unprecedented in its application of the Constitution's insurrection clause, prevents Trump from appearing on the state's Republican presidential primary ballot.

In a 4-3 split decision, the Colorado Supreme Court determined that Trump's actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol rendered him ineligible for public office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The court instructed Secretary of State Jena Griswold to exclude Trump's name from the March 5 primary ballot.

The court's majority, comprised of Justices Richard Gabriel, Melissa Hart, Monica Márquez, and William Hood, emphasized the gravity of their decision, acknowledging the unprecedented nature of the case. "We do not reach these conclusions lightly. We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us," the majority wrote.

The ruling, limited in scope to Colorado, awaits potential appeal to the US Supreme Court. If such an appeal is filed before January 4, the decision will remain on hold until the higher court renders its verdict. This timing aligns with the deadline for Secretary Griswold to certify candidates for the primary.

Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steve Cheung, promptly announced plans to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. "The Colorado Supreme Court issued a completely flawed decision tonight, and we will swiftly file an appeal to the United States Supreme Court," Cheung stated.

The court's decision focused on the interpretation of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which aims to bar individuals engaged in insurrection from holding public office. The majority rejected Trump's legal team's argument that the events of January 6 did not constitute an insurrection.

In their ruling, the justices found "substantial evidence" that Trump had laid the groundwork for challenging the election's legitimacy before November and continued to support the insurrection even after the Capitol breach. They emphasized Trump's efforts to hinder the peaceful transfer of power by encouraging his supporters and pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence.

Notably, the dissenting opinion from Justice Carlos Samour warned of potential chaos, as varying state election laws could lead to Trump's disqualification from the presidential primary ballot in less than all 50 states.

As the legal battle unfolds, the decision adds a new layer of complexity to the landscape of lawsuits challenging Trump's candidacy in over 25 states ahead of the 2024 election. National polls indicate Trump leading the field of Republican presidential candidates, making this Colorado case a pivotal moment in the unfolding campaign drama.