Supreme Court's Decisions on Trump's Ballot Eligibility: A Summary

The Supreme Court overturned a Colorado court ruling that disqualified former President Donald J. Trump from the state’s primary ballot, stating that states cannot use the 14th Amendment to bar presidential candidates from seeking office. The justices unanimously agreed that states cannot enforce Section 3 of the amendment, but split over how the federal government may do so. The ruling did not address whether Trump engaged in insurrection. The main opinion, filed "per curiam," emphasized that Congress, not the states, is responsible for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates. Liberal justices expressed concern over the majority's decision to limit federal enforcement of Section 3, protesting the effort to define the limits of federal enforcement in this case.