In a historic decision, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump cannot be removed from the ballot in Colorado or any other state based on claims of insurrection. The ruling, while not determining Trump's insurrectionist status, firmly establishes that states lack the authority to enforce such disqualifications for federal offices, ensuring Trump's appearance on ballots nationwide.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to provide context, commentary and analysis as to how this decision will impact the 2024 election. If you would like to speak to an expert, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Tayah Frye at [email protected].
Todd Belt is the director of the Political Management Program at the GW Graduate School of Political Management. Belt is an expert on the presidency, campaigns and elections, mass media and politics, public opinion, and political humor. In addition to his expertise, Belt is co-author of four books and helps to run GW’s political poll, which recently shared new findings.
According to Belt, this decision will not have major impact on Trump’s base. “This will make Trump's supporters even more certain that he is a victim, and it will make Democrats more likely to think that Trump always gets away with everything,” Belt said.“ So, for the election, I don’t think it matters much. I didn't think there was any chance they would allow him to be kept off the ballot. I think the other cases against him will be more important.”
Peter Loge is the director of GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs. He has nearly 30 years of experience in politics and communications, having served as a deputy to the chief of staff for Sen. Edward Kennedy during the 1995 shutdown, a VP at the US Institute of Peace in 2013, and held senior positions for three members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Loge currently leads the Project on Ethics in Political Communication at the School of Media and Public Affairs and continues to advise advocates and organizations.
Danny Hayes, professor of political science, is an expert on campaigns and elections who can discuss the current election landscape and provide insights and analysis on current campaign strategies.
Christopher Warshaw, an associate professor of political science at the George Washington University, is an expert on redistricting, American politics, representation, public opinion, as well as state and local politics.
Matt Dallek, a professor at GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, is a political historian with expertise in the intersection of social crises and political transformation, the evolution of the modern conservative movement, and liberalism and its critics. Along with four co-authored books, Dallek is the author of Birchers: How the John Birch Society Radicalized the American Right, which explores the history and influence of America’s right-wing activism.
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