In the US, They Are Defending Democracy

There are some who use democracy to get power, but when it doesn’t work in their favor, they try to tear it down. That’s how it is these days in the U.S.

Consider the symbolism. Donald Trump got the ruling disqualifying him from appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary in Colorado while he was getting ready for a campaign rally in Waterloo.

Yes, Waterloo, Ohio.

Although it remains to be seen if this legal battle will lead to his final defeat, it is revealing that Trump did not react immediately, as he typically does, to the ruling of the Colorado Supreme Court.

And the disqualification is a perfect fit for his narrative that the “deep state” is working to exclude him by force from the presidential race. But this is not what happened.

His campaign team announced an immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This is a serious issue. The institutions charged with upholding the law in the U.S. have the obligation to defend democracy as it is enshrined in the Constitution. Trump encouraged a coup against the Capitol to prevent Congress from certifying the election, which he lost. Someone who does not respect the essential rule of democracy, which is to accept the legal results of the election and acknowledge the winner, who challenges the congressional session in which that body complies with its constitutional duty, cannot go unpunished.

They use democracy to get power, but when it doesn’t work in their favor, they try to tear it down. That’s how it is these days in the U.S.

Although the Colorado ruling technically applies only to the primary election in that state scheduled for March 5, it is an arrow to the heart of Trump’s presidential aspirations. If the Supreme Court affirms the Colorado decision, it could trigger similar disqualifications in 24 other states governed by Democrats.

Trump would be out of the battle, and Republicans would have to seek a presidential nominee who respects the rules. But even if the judgment is not applied in other states, Colorado’s 10 electoral votes could cost Trump the election in a tight general race next November.

There is clearly another scenario. The six conservative Supreme Court justices could overturn the Colorado Supreme Court decision, save Trump’s hide politically, and the presidential race stays the same, as if nothing had happened.

The U.S. Supreme Court is now facing two key cases involving Trump. One asks the court to rule on whether Trump violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution by engaging in insurrection, the other asks the court to determine whether Trump is immune from prosecution because he was acting as president?

Both cases are obviously linked to the failed coup of Jan. 6, 2021 when Trump tried to prevent the transfer of power.

His trial for obstruction of justice is scheduled to begin March 4, 2024 with the election campaign in full swing and one day before the Colorado primary election.

If he is convicted of obstruction of justice before the general election on Nov 5, polls estimate that Trump could lose more than 10 points of voter approval. This is in addition to the automatic loss of Colorado’s 10 electoral votes. Although Trump could technically run for the president, he would be a wounded candidate.

But the nightmare scenario for Trump would be that the Supreme Court confirms the Colorado decision. It would be the end of his story.

Here’s an important fact. Republicans brought the Colorado suit. In other words, there are those within his own party that believe we need to defend democracy and are trying to hit the brakes on Trump.