Various states, including Colorado, determine Trump is disqualified from holding office

[PhillyGuy]

@Whack-a-Mole

I expect SCOTUS will say Trump cannot be denied a place on the ballot without first being convicted of insurrection.

Quite plausible. I’ll even say — most likely.

I quickly read the three Colorado dissents and at least one says that. Additionally, the chief justice said that the district court missed a deadline.

Thing is, it is obvious, to me anyway, that any GOP candidate other than Trump is stronger. I know some here disagree with that, thinkng Trump has a cult of personality where his supporters would refuse to vote for DeSantis or Haley. However, the GOP justices are unlikely to have such a low opinion of their fellow Republicans. And most of them must dislike Trump’s style. So I can’t dismiss the chances of them throwing Trump off the ballot.

[OldGuy]

@E-DUB

Doing nothing is one thing, doing nothing when you have an obligation to act is another.

Didn’t he "promotes, encourages or instigates the commission of the crime.”

[PhillyGuy]

This was in the news yesterday, so there could be one more:

Liberal group appeals ruling letting Trump stay on ballot to Michigan Supreme Court

[Odesio]

@Whack-a-Mole

Then they rule that the president cannot be held criminally liable for anything he did while in office.

I don’t expect this simply because it would make the SC irrelevant. I don’t believe they’ll cotton to the idea of a president who is above even their decisions regarding the law.

[BobLibDem]

We’ve got the best Supreme Court that money can buy. I say let’s pass the hat and treat Thomas and Alito to a luxury vacation and they’ll vote the right way.

[DavidNRockies]

@Odesio

@Whack-a-Mole

Then they rule that the president cannot be held criminally liable for anything he did while in office.

I don’t expect this simply because it would make the SC irrelevant. I don’t believe they’ll cotton to the idea of a president who is above even their decisions regarding the law.

Besides, taking away any accountability from the President – particularly if it happened during Biden’s Presidency – would have blowback.

Biden (or Dark Brandon) could just shoot Trump at the first debate, declare that he “needed killin’,” and go out for ice cream.

[Love_Rhombus]

@PhillyGuy

And most of them must dislike Trump’s style.

His style got two of them their current jobs. And Clarence Thomas only cares about where his next vacation is coming from these days.

[Whack-a-Mole]

@DavidNRockies

Biden (or Dark Brandon) could just shoot Trump at the first debate, declare that he “needed killin’,” and go out for ice cream.

Or remove the entire supreme court and then have ice cream.

[DavidNRockies]

I think we agree, though, that there would be ice cream.

And probably an equal amount for everybody (ie, no Donnie Two Scoops … this time).

[JohnT]

From the Decision Desk:

[puzzlegal]

Gift link from WaPo on the Colorado decision:

Trump disqualified from Colorado’s 2024 primary ballot by state Supreme Court

[Riemann]

@JohnT

Going to predict that the USSC declines to hear the case or rule in favor of Colorado

I think if they decide to fuck Trump over, politically it’s much easier for them to take the “shrug, none of our business” approach. I think if they don’t decline it implies bad news - if they hear the case they are going to rule for Trump.

[alphaboi867]

@jsc1953

IANAL but…is there such a crime is “insurrection”?

Yes, but it’s called treason and has special witness requirements so successful prosecutions have been rare.

[Riemann]

@JohnT

From the Decision Desk:

I assume that even if Trump is the nominee and is off the ticket in Colorado, the Republicans can run someone else in that state and potentially take the delegates away from Biden, even if they wouldn’t go to Trump?

[DWMarch]

@Riemann

I think if they decide to fuck Trump over, politically it’s much easier for them to take the “shrug, none of our business” approach. I think if they don’t decline it implies bad news - they are going to rule for Trump.

I hope they decline to hear the case on the general principle that they aren’t Trump’s bitches. If they take this opportunity to end his political career, they can continue making the law in the US and as they have recently shown, they can make that law into whatever they want it to be. If they let Trump off the hook, Trump will be the one making the law into whatever he wants and they will not be able to stop him because they will have surrendered to him.

[Riemann]

@DWMarch

I hope they decline to hear the case on the general principle that they aren’t Trump’s bitches.

The official line presumably being “Mumble mumble states’ rights mumble mumble”.

[Chronos]

Potentially, yes. There’s nothing that says that every state must have the same candidates, and third parties often appear on the ballot in some states but not others. But any non-Trump Republican is going to have serious turnout problems.

Biden was already likely to win Colorado, but this will surely have downballot effects. Lots of folks turn out to vote for President, and then vote a straight party ticket while they’re there, but wouldn’t bother to show up without the presidential race.

[Pleonast]

Is there a problem that voters aren’t really voting for president, but are instead voting for a panel of electors? Could the ballot simply say “Republican Electors”? Does this depend on the state?

[Aspenglow]

@iiandyiiii

I expect SCOTUS to reverse it, though I’ll be rooting for an uphold.

@Procrustus

Same here. It’s quite a well reasoned opinion.

I’m curious why you each think the SCOTUS will reverse. Will you elaborate?

[Riemann]

@Chronos

But any non-Trump Republican is going to have serious turnout problems.

I’m sure you’re right, it’s a steep hill to climb to sell the idea that Trump is getting screwed by a corrupt court and that voting for some other Republican is the way to show your love for Trump.