Colorado Judge Rejects Trump's Bid to Halt 14th Amendment Trial Against His 2024 Candidacy; More States Pursuing Similar Proceedings

Colorado case backed by watchdog group targets incitement; similar lawsuits in Minnesota and Michigan gain traction, raising questions around enforcement of the 14th Amendment's insurrection ban.

A Colorado judge denied former President Donald Trump's attempt to stop the 14th Amendment case against his prospective 2024 candidacy. The lawsuit claims Trump incited the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, which disqualifies him from office under the 14th Amendment.
Watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), backing a lawsuit launched by six Republican and independent voters, argue Trump’s actions during and after the Capitol attack constitute incitement and thus disqualify him from office.
The case defense hinged on the interpretation of 'engagement in insurrection' in the context of the 14th Amendment. During the trial, Professor Gerard Magliocca, a leading scholar on the amendment, stated it was meant for broad application and includes 'words of incitement'.
Several other states including Minnesota and Michigan are conducting similar lawsuits against Trump, raising questions about how the 14th Amendment's insurrection ban is enforced.
Trump faces around 91 felony counts across various courts including accusations of fraud, condemnation of false business records, defamation, and committing an election coup with regard to the 2020 results. Furthermore, his handling of government documents upon leaving the White House has been charged as a federal offense.