On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that the states cannot take former President Donald Trump off the ballot for this year’s election.
In the state of Colorado, Trump was taken off of the ballot for the 2024 election, citing the 14th Amendment, which prevents those who participated in an insurrection from running for office. Colorado’s supreme court claimed Trump participated in a violent uprising against the government on Jan. 6, 2021 during the attack on the U.S. Capitol
In Illinois, a Cook County judge took Trump off the primary ballot on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for the state election because of alleged actions that he had done back on Jan. 6. Illinois, with Colorado and Maine, were waiting to see what the Supreme Court would say in this case before officially removing Trump from the ballot.
The Supreme Court ruled that States do not have the authority to remove candidates from federal ballots, and decided the 14th Amendment does not apply.
During and following the 2020 election, Trump spread false claims about the voting system being rigged and that he actually won the election. On Jan. 6, 2021, he gave a speech to supporters encouraging them to stop lawmakers from certifying the election. Many of his supporters violently stormed the Capitol.
Despite this, many voters and MCHS students disagree about whether Trump should be removed from the ballot.
“I think it’s wrong,” said senior Elliot Cowgill about making Trump ineligible to run for public office. “I think it’s how you started a dictatorship where you take the freedom of Republican Party to vote for who they want. And if you take that out, you’ve just started a dictatorship and it’s not free. That’s what America is about, and that’s not what it’s giving an example of taking them off the ballot.”
Cowgill agreed with the Supreme Court’s ruling, while some other people do have some other opinions on what is going on.
“I think it’s a good thing,” said sophomore Liam Llamas about the possibility of removing Trump from the ballot. “Because when he was president, he did do some things for this county. But overall he’s like not in favor, He’s not trying to help the entire country. He’s just trying to help the white males of the country.”
All nine justices sided with Trump on Monday so he can remain on the ballot. Trump swept the primary elections on Super Tuesday, causing his Republican rival Nikki Haley to suspend her run for President.
Trump and his legal team have claimed that he should be immune from further responsibility for Jan. 6 because he was president at the time. The Supreme Court will hear that case in April.