Colorado’s secretary of state promises to follow through with ballot lawsuit, labels Trump as dishonest.

In a recent interview on MSNBC, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, criticized former President Trump, accusing him of being a “liar” and demonstrating a lack of respect for the Constitution. Griswold’s comments were made in response to Trump’s claim that a recent effort to use the 14th Amendment to prevent him from appearing on the Colorado ballot was “election interference.” She vehemently disagreed with Trump’s characterization, asserting that upholding the Constitution cannot be considered interference in the democratic process. Griswold further asserted that Trump is a dishonest individual who will go to great lengths to retain power.

The controversy surrounding Trump’s eligibility to appear on the 2024 ballot stems from a lawsuit filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. The lawsuit argues that Trump should be disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, commonly known as the insurrection clause, due to his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The suit also seeks to prevent Griswold from including Trump’s name on future ballots, including the 2024 Republican primary ballot in Colorado.

Griswold expressed her determination to see the lawsuit through, emphasizing the importance of a court’s involvement in clarifying the constitutional implications of Trump’s actions. She cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which clearly states that individuals who engage in insurrection, rebellion, or aid the enemies of the Constitution are disqualified from holding office. Griswold argued that Trump’s role in inciting the insurrection during the attack on the Capitol raises significant constitutional questions regarding his eligibility for the Colorado ballot. She believes it is essential for a court to weigh in on this matter and provide guidance on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s provisions.