Defense notes they have made args about whether trump is officer of us, etc. but they want court to apply the rule of democracy...millions of ppl find inspiration in Trump, want him to run the country and create one in the order they want. Who are petitioners to challenge this?

Trump's lawyers say when the framers drafted the 14A, they are confident they meant to protect from an inicdent like this - where attorneys or voters dislike a candidate and want short-circuit it

Now a rep from the CO GOP is up. They have intervened on the case and want the court to toss the petitioners request to remove Trump.

The CO GOP rep goes over criteria for presidential candidates; they must be citizen over 35, register campaign with FCC, must show seriousness in campaign, competitiveness as it defined by party standards. Trump satisfies these requirements; they argue Griswold cannot remove him

This is a key issue to be resolved at trial - this is what Judge Wallace wanted too, She wanted the arg over whether Griswold can actually remove Trump to play out here and now

Grant Sullivan reps Secy Griswold. He says while this is extraordinary case, whether to place a candidate on the ballot is more ordinary. Secy wont offer any evidence in this case. She doesnt have any direct evidence on whether he engaged in insurrection. Other parties will...

What she can and will do is make her deputy elections director available to testify.
That person will testify about how secy's office adminsters CO election law to ensure conforming with election laws

First witness for the voters in the CO trial seeking Trump's removal from the ballot for his actions tied to Jan. 6: DC MPD Officer Daniel Hodges. (Earlier tweet deleted because I misidentified which department he worked for, sincere apologies)

Hodges served in Va Natl Guard; he works on civil disturbance unit for DCMPD; he has received special training about crowd control/response maneuver. CDU only respond to issues happening under city code; but also fed property partners

Hodges goes to the morning of Jan. 6. He knew there was going to be a certification that day and he was first ordered to respond to 11th and Constitution Ave, standing there making a visible presence. This was around 8am; they were monitoring the rally on Ellipse

Hodges: I noticed multiple ppl wearing tactical gear, some had helmets liek my own ballistic helmet; goggles, gas masks, backpacks full of gear... tactical boots, earpieces for radio.
How did he feel seeing that?