Former President Donald Trump has submitted an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after being ruled ineligible to appear on Colorado's primary ballot. The historic decision by the Colorado Supreme Court last month cited Trump's engagement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which culminated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The court invoked Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars candidates from holding public office if they have engaged in insurrection.

Trump's appeal, filed on Wednesday, was expected following the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling. This marks the first time Trump has been barred from a primary ballot, amidst challenges to his candidacy in multiple states across the nation.

Additionally, the Democratic secretary of state in Maine has also declared Trump ineligible under the 14th Amendment. Trump has appealed this decision in the Maine state court system, asserting that these rulings are part of a broader effort by his political opponents to hamper his 2024 presidential campaign. Trump currently faces over 90 criminal charges in four venues, including federal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, called for a "clear, summary rejection" of the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling while emphasizing the need for a free and fair election in November. The Colorado Republican Party had already appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, with the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington also urging swift action from the court.

Pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Colorado justices have temporarily stayed their ruling, suggesting that Trump will remain on the state's primary ballot unless the nation's highest court declines the case or upholds the Colorado decision. The certification of the state's primary ballot is set to take place on Friday.

Experts have highlighted the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court's involvement in addressing the numerous challenges to the 14th Amendment. Guy-Uriel Charles, a Harvard law professor, stressed the importance of clarifying the fundamental rules before voters participate in the upcoming 2024 election. With Trump's ballot eligibility and claims of presidential immunity awaiting review, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to play a vital role in the electoral process.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, enacted in the aftermath of the Civil War, was primarily aimed at preventing former Confederacy members from holding elected office. Its usage has remained limited over the past century and a half, making the ongoing challenges and court proceedings surrounding Trump's eligibility and accountability of notable significance.