The Supreme Court ruling that former President Trump cannot be barred from Colorado's primary ballot under the 14th Amendment has likely opened the door for Jan. 6 rioters to run for federal office, Axios reports. The potential influx of Jan. 6 candidates comes as many Americans voice low levels of trust in the political system and fears of political violence. The ruling marks the first time the Supreme Court has ruled directly on the application of the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that the ruling went too far in part because of how it could be applied beyond Trump's situation. "The majority attempts to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office," the justices wrote.
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment plays an important role in U.S. democracy, the three justices added, noting that the provision was enacted after the Civil War to ensure that "those who had participated in that insurrection, and in possible future insurrections, could not return to prominent roles." Instead, the majority's decision Monday will impede efforts in the future to "disqualify a Presidential candidate" under the provision, they wrote. More than 1,200 people have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and hundreds have pleaded guilty. Dozens of people who participated in some way in the events of the Jan. 6 riot ran for office in 2022. The notorious Jan. 6 participant known as the "QAnon Shaman" — who served time in federal prison for his actions —has announced plans to run for Congress this year..
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