The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an argument from a Donald Trump supporter that the justices had accepted from the former president.
Couy Griffin, co-founder of "Cowboys for Trump," was disqualified by a New Mexico judge from holding elected office under the U.S. Constitution's insurrection clause following his conviction for taking part in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, but the Supreme Court turned down his appeal, reported the Associated Press.
Griffin received the first disqualification from office in more than a century under Section 3 the 14th Amendment, which was intended to prevent former Confederates from serving in government, following a 2022 trial in state court, and New Mexico's Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal after he missed procedural deadlines.
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The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Colorado ruling that had disqualified Trump under the same provision, ruling that states don't have the authority to keep Trump or other candidates for federal office from appearing on the ballot, but the justices said different rules apply to state or local office.
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"We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office," the court ruled March 4 in favor of Trump. "But states have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the presidency."
Griffin, a pastor who led a series of cowboy caravans to show support to Trump, had served as Otero County commissioner before his Jan. 6 conviction for entering a restricted area on the Capitol grounds and received a 14-day prison sentence.
The Republican former official has argued that he entered the grounds without realizing it was a restricted area and says that he tried to lead the crowd in prayer using a bullhorn but did not engage in violence.
