Washington-based watchdog group, CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics), decided to file a lawsuit to prevent Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot in Colorado.
This is one of the latest efforts of voters who don't want to former U.S. president to run in the upcoming 2024 U.S. election.
Watchdog CREW Files Lawsuit to Ban Trump
President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with members of the National Association of Police Organizations Leadership in the Cabinet Room of the White House on July 31, 2020, in Washington, DC.
The Associated Press reported that the legal action was filed by CREW on Wednesday, Sept. 6. It was filed by the watchdog on behalf of six Colorado Republican voters (who are not affiliated with the group).
The lawsuit, which was quickly dismissed by Donald Trump's team, cites Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
ABC News reported that the legal action is one of the first serious challenges to Trump's presidential candidacy based on the rarely used clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The 14th Amendment's Section states that U.S. officials who took an oath to support the Constitution and engaged in rebellion/insurrection or gave aid to the enemies thereof while they were serving are not eligible for future office.
It added that they can only have a position if they are granted amnesty by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Congress.
The previous use of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment against other Republicans was not successful. However, CREW managed to push to overthrow a county official in New Mexico in 2022.
This official was convicted of trespassing in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
What CREW's Lawsuit Says About Trump
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to the crowd as he delivers a speech during the evening session on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
CREW's lawsuit argues that Donald Trump aided the attack on the Capitol in 2021. This accusation is the same reason why the House of Representatives impeached the former American leader.
However, he was acquitted by the U.S. Senate. Trump also repeatedly defended himself, saying that he did not incite the violent protesters.
Noah Bookbinder, the president of CREW, explained that they filed the lawsuit as they believe that defending the republic today and in the future is necessary.
Trump's team defends the ex-POTUS from challenges like CREW's legal action.
"The people who are pursuing this absurd conspiracy theory and political attack on President Trump are stretching the law beyond recognition," said Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung.
He added that these allegations have no legal basis except in the minds of those who are using it.
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