The U.S. Supreme Court recently denied a writ of certiorari petition from John Castro, a registered Republican candidate for President in 2024, who sought to have former President Donald Trump removed from the ballot in Arizona. Castro had previously filed lawsuits in multiple states to have Trump removed from presidential ballots over his alleged connection to the January 6 riots at the Capitol and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. However, in December 2023, the federal district court in Arizona dismissed Castro’s lawsuit, stating that his argument lacked standing and did not show that he was truly competing with Trump.
Despite the challenges, in March 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court handed Trump a major win by allowing his name to remain on presidential ballots in Colorado. This decision came after efforts to have him removed due to his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The Court overturned the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision that Trump was ineligible for the ballot based on violations of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals holding office from running again if they engaged in insurrection or rebellion. Justices heard oral arguments in the Colorado case in February and signaled they would rule in favor of Trump, questioning why individual states should determine the eligibility of a national candidate.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in March, Trump expressed his belief that it would help bring the country together, something he believed was much needed. He commended the justices for working quickly on an issue that would be remembered for generations to come. The ruling was seen as a significant victory for Trump, as it allowed him to remain on the presidential ballots in Colorado and potentially other states that may have been considering similar challenges. Newsweek reached out to Castro and Trump’s spokesperson for comment on the decision but did not receive a response.
Overall, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions on challenges to have Trump removed from presidential ballots in various states have been crucial in determining his eligibility to run for office in the upcoming 2024 election. Despite efforts from individuals like John Castro to have Trump disqualified due to his alleged involvement in the Capitol riot and attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the Court has largely sided with Trump, allowing his name to remain on the ballot. This has sparked debate and controversy among those who believe Trump should not be allowed to run again, highlighting the complex legal and political issues at play in the lead-up to the presidential election.
