Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State, expressed her disappointment with a state judge’s ruling that denied an attempt to bar former President Donald Trump from Colorado’s primary ballot in 2024. In an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, Griswold criticized the decision, which acknowledged Trump’s involvement in the insurrection but did not prevent his name from appearing on the ballot.
The ruling came after a lawsuit from a D.C.-based ethics watchdog argued that Trump’s actions related to the events of January 6, 2021, conflicted with a Constitutional amendment from the Civil War era. This amendment prohibits individuals who have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the Constitution from holding office.
Griswold expressed her surprise at the ruling and agreed with Velshi’s assessment that it was not a “victory.” She stated that it was troubling that the presidency seemed to provide a “Get Out of Jail Free” card for those who engage in insurrection. Griswold emphasized the importance of the president’s duty to protect the Constitution and questioned the idea that someone who engaged in insurrection could then become president again.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s comments were shared on Twitter by Ali Velshi, prompting further discussion on the issue.
