Title: Former President Donald Trump Removed from Maine’s 2024 Primary Ballot
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has made a decision that has removed former President Donald Trump from the 2024 primary ballot in Maine. This move comes as a result of the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban,” which prohibits officials who engage in insurrection from holding future office.
Trump’s team has expressed their intentions to file an appeal in state court, which has put the decision on hold pending the outcome of the appeal. This development makes Maine the second state to disqualify Trump from future office, following a similar ruling made by the Colorado Supreme Court earlier this month.
The decision in Maine is being hailed as a victory for Trump’s critics, who argue that the ban is essential to protect the country from anti-democratic insurrectionists. Secretary Bellows, a Democrat, issued the decision after an administrative hearing where a bipartisan group of former state lawmakers challenged Trump’s eligibility.
Trump’s campaign spokesman has accused Bellows of being a “virulent leftist” interfering in the presidential election. In response, Bellows cited evidence linking Trump to the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, stating that he “used a false narrative of election fraud” to incite his supporters.
Legal experts believe that the US Supreme Court will eventually have to intervene and settle the issue. The decision by Maine’s Secretary of State builds on the momentum of the Colorado ruling, contradicting the rejection of similar efforts in other states like Michigan and Minnesota.
The ruling by Bellows is currently on pause pending a ruling from Maine’s Superior Court, the next level of appeal. This ruling is expected to come in January, before ballots are sent out to voters.
Bellows referenced the Colorado Supreme Court ruling, which is also on hold during the appeals process. She stated that a possible reversal by the US Supreme Court would not change her responsibility to act and that she believes the highest court in the land will ultimately have the final say.
Bellows concluded that the January 6 attack on the Capitol meets the definition of an insurrection and that Trump intended to incite lawless action to disrupt the transfer of power. Furthermore, she rejected Trump’s defense that the 14th Amendment does not apply to the presidency, stating that the provision covers the presidency and is enforceable by the states.
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the US Supreme Court to see how they address this issue. The outcome will have significant implications for Trump’s political future and the interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Until then, the decision in Maine stands as a significant setback for the former president’s aspirations for the 2024 primary ballot.
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