Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy expressed disappointment when other GOP candidates did not join his decision to withdraw their names from the Colorado primary ballot in solidarity with former President Trump.
Ramaswamy described the move as a way to "lead by example" in response to what he considers an "unconstitutional and flagrant violation" by the Colorado Supreme Court in removing Trump from the ballot based on the 14th Amendment.
Ramaswamy defends Trump, blasts CO court's decision to remove him from ballot: 'Blatant election interference' https://t.co/O4Mt7QOHtR
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 24, 2023
In an interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo, Ramaswamy criticized the court's decision, stating, "This is not the way we do things in the United States of America. We the people are the ones who select our leaders, not unelected cabals of Democrat judges and back office."
The entrepreneur and Republican candidate called on fellow GOP contenders, including Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis, to follow suit in withdrawing from the Colorado primary ballot.
Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of "leading by example" and explained that he wanted to demonstrate that if Trump's name was forcibly removed from the ballot, he would voluntarily remove himself.
He expressed disappointment at the lack of response or support from other candidates who expressed a desire to continue collecting delegates.
Reflecting on the practical aspect of the decision, Ramaswamy argued that if every Republican in the Colorado GOP primary chose not to participate, it would render the act of removing Trump's name less impactful.
He reiterated that his goal is to protect the constitutional republic, even if it means facing challenges in the election.
The Colorado Supreme Court's 4-3 ruling disqualified Trump from the state's primary ballot, citing the 14th Amendment and his conduct during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Ramaswamy criticized the decision as an "actual attack on democracy" and demanded that other candidates take a similar stance.
While Trump's Republican rivals, including Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Chris Christie, expressed solidarity with him in various ways, the controversy surrounding the Colorado court's ruling continues to spark debates about the balance between constitutional principles and judicial decisions.
The ruling is stayed until January 4, pending likely appeals in the case.
Ramaswamy remains committed to his decision, emphasizing the need to protect the democratic process and voters' rights in the face of what he views as election interference ahead of the intense battle for the presidency in 2024.
