In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that states cannot remove candidates for federal office from the ballot based on the "insurrectionist clause" of the 14th Amendment. The case involved former President Donald Trump's attempt to stay on the Colorado primary ballot despite allegations that his actions leading up to the January 6th Capitol riot constituted insurrection.

The Supreme Court held that states lacked the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment against federal officeholders, including presidents. The court reasoned that Congress has the primary responsibility for enforcing Section 3 through legislation.

**Implications for Trump and Other Candidates**

This decision is a significant victory for Trump, as it allows him to remain on the Colorado ballot in the 2024 primary. It also sets a precedent that other states cannot use Section 3 to disqualify Trump or other candidates from running for federal office.

However, the decision does not address the question of whether Trump's actions on January 6th constituted an insurrection. The court noted that lower courts in Colorado had found that Trump had engaged in insurrection but declined to make any ruling on its own.

**Division of Opinion on Scope of Decision**

While the outcome of the case was unanimous, the court was divided on the scope of its ruling. Five justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, held that states could not enforce Section 3 against any federal officer, not just presidents. Four justices concurred in the judgment but disagreed with this broader interpretation.

**Reactions from Trump and State Officials**

Trump praised the ruling as a "BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!" Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold expressed disappointment but acknowledged the court's authority.

**Implications for Future Cases**

The Supreme Court's decision has effectively halted legal challenges to Trump's candidacy based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. However, the decision leaves open the possibility of other legal challenges to Trump's eligibility based on other grounds, such as criminal charges related to the January 6th events.