In a pivotal development, the Colorado judge presiding over the groundbreaking lawsuit aimed at preventing former President Donald Trump from appearing on the state's 2024 presidential ballot issued a protective order on Friday. This order serves to deter threats and intimidation within the case, prioritizing the safety of all involved parties, including the judge herself and her staff.
District Judge Sarah B. Wallace emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "I 100% understand everybody’s concerns for the parties, the lawyers, and frankly myself and my staff based on what we’ve seen in other cases," as she approved the protective measure.
The issued order explicitly forbids any involved parties from making threatening or intimidating statements. Notably, Scott Gessler, a former Colorado secretary of state representing Trump in the case, contested the need for such an order, asserting that existing laws already prohibit threats and intimidation.
This protective order was pursued by attorneys representing the liberal advocacy group Citizens For Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Their objective is to utilize a seldom-invoked provision of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, dating back to the Civil War era, in a bid to disqualify Trump from being included on the ballot.
As this historic litigation advances, the protective order stands as a safeguard against undue influence or coercion, ensuring that proceedings remain focused on the legal merits of the case.