Is Trump a threat to Democracy or isn’t he?
Re: “Colorado Supreme Court: Trump off the ’24 ballot,” Dec. 20 news story
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump cannot be on the 2024 Colorado ballot. Why? Mr. Trump has not been charged, let alone convicted, of any crime from the Jan. 6, 2021, events at the U.S. Capitol. Our top justices have resorted to convicting someone prior to any fair trial or following the constitutional requirements of due process. These actions have eliminated any creditability and judicial independence the Colorado Supreme Court had.
Trump may or may not win the Republican nomination. If nominated, he may not win the election. But the outcome will be decided by the American people. Trump is an egotistical narcissist and does not deserve my vote. The irony is that he may win the sympathy vote and a second term due to the Colorado Supreme Court’s actions.
The actions of the Colorado Supreme Court were wrong and out of line. These justices should resign since their credibility and judicial independence have been reduced to zero. As far as Trump goes, Nikki Haley is catching up. Should Joe Lieberman or Sen. Joe Manchin run, the presidency is completely in the hands of the voters — as it should be.
Jeff Jasper, Westminster
As a retired civics teacher, I appreciate the complexity of the courts and the ballot and applying the ban on insurrectionists holding office. As a Colorado citizen, I support this historic ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Alexander Hamilton argued that the Courts must weigh in on these issues (not voters) in Federalist #78.
James Madison argued in Federalist #10 that “factions” posed a threat to democracy.
I would argue that both Madison and Hamilton would approve of Tuesday’s decision by the Colorado Supreme Court to remove Trump from the ballot.
I would argue and also support the position that, as Commander in Chief, Donald Trump violated his Oath of Office and that the Colorado Supreme Court rightly decided this issue. Some suggest that this is a witchhunt, but say that to the families of those heroic officers who were injured defending the Capitol on Jan. 6.
After reading today’s Post, I must say that this is a proud moment for me as a Colorado citizen. The Colorado Supreme Court stood up for our republic.
James Madison, if alive today, would view Trump’s MAGA as a “Dangerous Faction.” May our Supreme Court gain the courage to do what Section 3 of the 14th Amendment mandates! Remove Donald Trump from the ballot in all 50 states.
Michael Corey, Englewood
Editor’s note: Corey is a retired Denver Public Schools civics teacher and was a James Madison Fellow in 2006.
Insurrection is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. § 2383). The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution require due process before anyone can be punished for a crime. This process requires a grand jury for “infamous” crimes (and certainly insurrection would qualify), a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, and the right to “confront the witnesses against him.”
In the case of former President Trump, none of these due process steps have occurred. There has been no grand jury, no public trial – indeed, neither former President Trump nor anyone else has even been formally charged with insurrection, much less convicted by a jury. Yet the State Supreme Court of Colorado has dictated that he is guilty. This dictate is an abomination, a clear violation of constitutional guarantees, and should not be allowed to stand.
Don Treasure, Golden
Thank goodness for a Colorado Supreme Court with the intestinal fortitude to do what Congress should have done in one of two impeachments. We would not be here if they had done their job. If only the courts would act as quickly on the Georgia case the Colorado court would not have had to stand tall! Yes, it will be appealed, and rightfully so, but it should encourage the courts involved in the Georgia case to expedite a verdict that led to January 6 and the failed insurrection orchestrated by the deranged concept from a delusional president about his election loss. America is at great risk should he be allowed to run and, heaven forbid, win!
Steve Phillips, Grand Junction
These are interesting times. Elon Musk doesn’t need advertisers to run X/Twitter, and former President Donald Trump doesn’t need Colorado to be reelected president. Given an honest look at ourselves, we may find that very few of us really “need” much of anyone or anything outside of eating, sleeping, and going to the bathroom to live happy, fulfilling lives – no, these are “wants.”
I’m not sure where the Colorado Supreme Court thinks it’s going by barring Trump from being on the 2024 ballot, but the US Supreme Court may be one destination. Perhaps they’re taking a stand, trying to send a message of sorts, or trying to set up a “domino effect” by their precedent? Perhaps they’ll start a trend, and perhaps they’ll be the odd man out. The presidents of three major universities recently took a stand and things aren’t looking too good for them. It can get pretty dicey when legal rulings are based on personal feelings and emotions instead of jurisprudence and rational thought. It will be interesting to see how this goes.
Speaking of “dicey,” I wager that the Colorado court’s ruling will be overturned, but I don’t think they care. Their “message” has been sent.
Arthur Saginian, Santa Clarita, Calif.
Dear members of CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington),
Congratulations on bringing a successful legal action based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution against Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to become a presidential candidate or hold any public office for 2024 or for any time in the future.
Colorado’s Supreme Court has correctly interpreted Section 3 as its authors intended (a weighty and courageous decision). Your organization must be commended for presenting that intention with honesty, clarity and skill.
You have now, in all likelihood, succeeded in bringing the obvious truth of Trump’s lawless deeds before our nation’s highest court, the U.S. Supreme Court, for all Americans (and the world) to see.
For what your organization and the highest court of our “highest state” has accomplished, we are forever in your debt.
Peter Mancuso, New Hope, Penn.
The Colorado Supreme Court got it wrong when it ordered Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold to keep former President Trump off of the Republican primary ballot. The Constitution guarantees us the right to assembly. A primary election is nothing more than an assembly of people stating that this is the person they want to put their banner behind during the general election.
If Republicans want to nominate a person that is constitutionally barred from holding office, and perhaps even from being on the general election ballot, that is their business.
Karl Reinig, Denver
The decision by the Colorado Supreme Court to remove Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot seems to me to be a no-brainer: The Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol was just the tip of the iceberg, as Special Prosecutor Jack Smith has discovered. The actions on Jan. 6 were only part of an attempt by Trump and his minions to remain in office despite losing the 2020 election. If Smith’s case ever makes it to court, it seems to me that a jury will agree with this: Donald Trump committed sedition and other crimes in trying to invalidate the election results. He is at least morally unfit to be president.
This would all be academic if Republicans in the Senate had put their big-boy pants on in 2021 and removed Trump from office before Jan. 20, 2021. That would have barred him from running for president again.
Why many people in this country cannot see the moral, ethical, and legal depravity of Donald Trump continues to be a mystery to me. He apparently has some sort of Svengali effect on his acolytes. Much of what he has done has been done in public, telling us that he doesn’t care. I’m reminded of his famous quote about shooting someone on 5th Avenue and getting away with it. He has convinced his acolytes that all of the accusations against him are politically motivated. I will grant that those of us who care about our democracy definitely do not want Trump to be our dictator.
James W. Craft, Broomfield
Boycotts can run both ways. By depriving Donald Trump of his rightful place on the ballot, we will not visit or support anything that has to do with Colorado. We will not buy any Colorado products or watch any Colorado sports events. Ever.
We had a lovely time in Denver last summer for a wedding and stayed downtown but that is over. We will recommend to all our patriotic friends to do the same.
Shame on your court. They are un-American.
Marsha Roseman, Van Nuys, California
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