Supreme Court keeps Trump on ballots
They ruled that Colorado and other states cannot disqualify former President Donald Trump from federal office


What happened?
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that Colorado and other states cannot disqualify former President Donald Trump from federal office under Section 3 of the 14th amendment, which bars candidates who "engaged in insurrection." A 5-4 majority said Congress must pass legislation for the 14th Amendment to be enforced.
Who said what?
States "have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the presidency," the Supreme Court said in an unsigned 9-0 opinion. The five-justice majority went too far, unnecessarily attempting to "insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office," Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson said in a concurring opinion. Trump said he thinks the "very well-crafted" decision "will go a long way toward bringing our country together."
The commentary
Keeping Trump on the ballots is "defensible," but the "bare" 5-4 majority "had no reason to nullify the insurrection clause" other than as a special "unwarranted gift to Donald Trump" and other Jan. 6 "oathbreakers," Mark Joseph Stern said at Slate. This "clear legal win" for Trump also undermined a "central theme" of his campaign, that the courts are "hopelessly corrupt, conflicted and rigged against him," Jonathan Karl said at ABC News.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said he's working on a bill to bar insurrectionists from office. Meanwhile, Axios said, the court's ruling "likely opened the door for Jan. 6 rioters to run for federal office."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
September 1 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday’s political cartoons include Labor Day picnic, branding strategy, and more
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?
Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
When does autumn begin?
The Explainer The UK is experiencing a 'false autumn', as climate change shifts seasonal weather patterns
-
Lisa Cook and Trump's battle for control the US Fed
Talking Point The president's attempts to fire one of the Federal Reserve's seven governor is represents 'a stunning escalation' of his attacks on the US central bank
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
Why is Trump suddenly interested in his enemies' mortgages?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the president continues targeting adversaries, he's turned to a surprising ally to provide ammunition for an emerging line of attack
-
'A symbol of the faceless corporate desire'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Truck drivers are questioning the Trump administration's English mandate
Talking Points Some have praised the rules, others are concerned they could lead to profiling
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodus
Speed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
Trump soaks up adoration in his made-for-TV Cabinet meetings
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The president's televised sessions have become a platform for his top lieutenants to demonstrate executive flattery