WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court justices on Thursday questioned a lawyer for Donald Trump as the former president fights to avoid being kicked off state presidential ballots for his actions involving the 2021 Capitol attack in a case with major implications for the November election.
The nine justices were hearing his appeal of a December 19 ruling by Colorado’s top court to disqualify Trump from the state’s Republican primary ballot under the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment after finding that he participated in an insurrection.
The justices grilled Trump’s lawyer Jonathan Mitchell at the outset of the arguments.
Trump was not present. Instead, he planned to start his day at his Florida home and travel to Nevada, according to a source familiar with his plans. Nevada on Thursday night holds a nominating caucus that Trump is expected to win handily.
Several demonstrators gathered outside the white marble courthouse. Some held signs reading, “Failed Coup,” “Remove Trump” and “Trump is a Traitor.”