Moderate Dem says it ‘makes sense’ to leave Trump ballot question to courts

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), a moderate House member running for the U.S. Senate, said on Wednesday she thought it “makes sense” for former President Trump’s ballot eligibility under the 14th Amendment to be left to the federal courts to decide.

In an interview on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, Slotkin was asked whether the Colorado Supreme Court was right to rule that Trump’s actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol rendered him ineligible to appear on the primary ballot.

“I personally don’t know the answer between the 14th Amendment and everything else that was just cited,” she added. “So I think it makes sense, frankly, in Colorado — we’ve got similar cases going on here in Michigan and other states — to let the courts meter this out.”

In making the decision, the Colorado high court cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that says anyone who, “having previously taken an oath … to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof,” is ineligible to hold office again.

CNN before Slotkin’s interview outlined various examples of people being barred from holding public office under the 14th Amendment, without having been previously convicted in court.

“Well, I mean, I think, I was fascinated by your last segment. I didn’t know that history. And this is why I do think it is in the hands of the courts,” Slotkin said.

“Colorado obviously knew what they were doing when they put this case together. They’re trying to push — to have this metered out in federal court, and now it will be,” she added.

Trump has pledged to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority.

The decision has faced significant heat since Tuesday night, when the 4-3 state ruling was announced. While some legal scholars point to the legal merit of the ruling, others express concern about letting the courts decide on Trump’s eligibility. Even some critics of the former president say his political future, especially without a criminal conviction, should be left to voters.

The Hill has reached out to Slotkin’s campaign for additional comment.