Donald Trump is disqualified for the presidency of the United States because of his role in the January 2021 attack on the Capitol, Colorado's top court decided on Tuesday, triggering a political earthquake that may upend next year's election.
The unexpected judicial ruling, which Trump's team announced it would appeal, prompted quick outrage from Republicans across the political spectrum and appeared to put the ex-reality TV star's allegation of political persecution on fire.
The verdict, which only pertains to the Colorado primary ballot, is the first of some court cases around the country to successfully utilize the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits from office anybody who has previously pledged to preserve the country but then acts in rebellion.
"A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution," the Colorado Supreme Court noted in its ruling.
"It would be a wrongful act under the Election Code for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot because he is disqualified."
"We do not reach these conclusions lightly," stated the 4-3 majority.
"We are cognizant of the enormity and weight of the issues before us. We are also mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law without fear or favor and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law requires us to make," it added.