Trump Deemed Ineligible for Maine Primary Ballot, Sparks Legal Battle
In a consequential decision, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows declared former President Donald Trump ineligible to appear on Maine's presidential primary ballot. The ruling, released on Thursday, follows a hearing earlier this month that addressed challenges to Trump's eligibility, particularly citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
Section 3 stipulates that anyone who took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution but subsequently "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" may no longer hold office. The argument against Trump's eligibility was presented by several individuals, including three former state officials. Bellows' decision, while acknowledging the unprecedented and tragic events of January 6, 2021, emphasizes that the evidence indicates the insurrection occurred with the knowledge and support of the outgoing president.
Bellows expressed the weightiness of her conclusion, recognizing the sacredness of democracy and highlighting that no Secretary of State has previously deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The decision also addresses an argument under the 22nd Amendment, which limits a person to being elected president no more than twice. However, this argument was dismissed by Bellows.
Notably, this decision comes shortly after Colorado's Supreme Court ruled Trump ineligible for the presidency and disqualified him from the state's primary ballot under the 14th Amendment. Bellows, initially set to announce her decision on December 22, delayed it after Colorado's ruling to consider additional arguments on Trump's eligibility in Maine. Trump's legal team has sought intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court to address the case.
In response to Bellows' decision, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized her, labeling her as "a former ACLU attorney, a virulent leftist, and a hyper-partisan Biden-supporting Democrat" who, in his view, interfered in the presidential election on behalf of Joe Biden. The ruling sets the stage for a legal battle that could further shape the landscape of Trump's political future.
As legal challenges to Donald Trump's eligibility for office unfold in at least 16 states, the landscape of the 2024 presidential race takes on a critical dimension. The New York Times reports on the widespread legal scrutiny Trump is facing, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in the democratic process.
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