BREAKING NEWS OUT OF COLORADO! The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump is DISQUALIFIED from the 2024 ballot because he engaged in insurrection leading up to the Jan 6th insurrection at the Capitol. This ruling could keep him off the presidential primary ballot in Colorado, barring intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court by January 4th. Why so soon? Because the Colorado primary candidates are finalized on January 5th!

The CO SC ruled 4-3, finding that Trump violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This section of the 14th Amendment specially disqualifies from office those people who engage in insurrection against the Constitution after taking an oath to support it. Read the full opinion here.

The majority wrote in their decision: “We do not reach these conclusions lightly. We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us. We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach.”

Obviously, Donald Trump will be appealing this. And in an ironic twist, a man who usually wants to delay court proceedings for months or years is now hoping for a lightning fast ruling - just days before the Christmas holiday.

A reminder: This ruling only applies to Colorado, although similar lawsuits are pending in up to 16 other states, at last count.

Katie Phang covered this breaking news while covering for Ari Melber on The Beat with Ari Melber. They were in agreement that this was huge news, but the Supreme Court would be the final decision and they would have to move lightning fast.

Xitter also had thoughts:

I snort laughed

Ketchup cleanup on aisle 5.