WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Each states put their bans on maintain whereas the authorized course of performs out – which means Trump will virtually definitely seem on each ballots for his or her Mar 5 primaries.
Grassroots Republicans have challenged the ruling in Colorado and the Trump marketing campaign has indicated that it intends to enchantment in each instances.
The Maine resolution would go to the state’s Superior Courtroom first, whereas Colorado’s ruling has already been by means of the state system and could be elevated on to the US Supreme Courtroom.
WHAT CAN THE US SUPREME COURT DO?
The strongly conservative-leaning excessive court docket – which incorporates three Trump appointees – can decline to assessment the Colorado case, which means the Trump ban would stand.
In actuality, most analysts consider that Maine becoming a member of with Colorado removes any doubt that the justices will act.
They might decide whether or not or not part three of the 14th Modification – the rebellion clause – applies to a former president.
The court docket might additionally rule on whether or not the ban is computerized or would require an act of Congress, and whether or not the 2021 storming of the Capitol and Trump’s function in it certainly qualify as rebellion.
THE EFFECT OF THE BANS
Even when the Colorado and Maine bans stand, front-running Trump is predicted to have the ability to safe the Republican nomination comfortably with out these states, so his path to the White Home wouldn’t essentially be impeded.
However an hostile Supreme Courtroom ruling that’s binding on decrease courts nationwide – quite than a slim procedural ruling affecting solely Colorado – might torpedo the ex-president’s main problem.
He would then should determine whether or not to run for president as a third-party candidate.
However even when the excessive court docket does not weigh in on the state stage rulings and the harm is proscribed to Colorado and Maine, the justices might depart the door open to challenges to Trump’s eligibility for the final election.
So he might properly discover himself barred from difficult US President Joe Biden in November, even when he wins the Republican nomination.
TIMETABLE
The gears of the US justice system grind notoriously slowly – notably on the prime.
The Supreme Courtroom has not indicated whether or not it intends to take up the Colorado enchantment, nor how lengthy it might take to rule on Trump’s eligibility if it did. Trump’s opponents have confused the significance of an pressing resolution.
The court docket can act shortly when required: Its ruling ending Florida’s vote rely within the 2000 election – handing victory to George W. Bush – took lower than a month.
