Trump’s candidacy faces 14th Amendment challenges pre-primaries
Advocacy Groups Challenge Trump’s Eligibility for 2024 Presidential Nomination
Former President Donald Trump, the current favorite for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, may face a major hurdle before even reaching the GOP convention. Several advocacy groups are filing lawsuits across the nation, questioning his eligibility to appear on primary ballots due to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits those who ”engaged in insurrection” from holding office.
Michigan Supreme Court Rejects Attempt to Block Trump from 2024 Ballot
Wednesday morning brought good news for the former president as Michigan’s Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from the advocacy group Free Speech For People, which aimed to prevent Trump from appearing on the primary ballot. While a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling also rejected the attempt to block Trump, a different ruling last week has put his campaign in an uncomfortable position.
The Colorado Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, successfully blocked Trump from the state’s primary ballot. This marks the first successful challenge from groups seeking to hinder Trump’s reelection campaign.
“President Trump did not merely incite the insurrection,” wrote the majority of Colorado’s high court. “Even when the siege on the Capitol was fully underway, he continued to support it by repeatedly demanding that Vice President [Mike] Pence refuse to perform his constitutional duty and by calling Senators to persuade them to stop the counting of electoral votes. These actions constituted overt, voluntary, and direct participation in the insurrection.”
However, this ruling is expected to be taken to the Supreme Court of the United States for a final decision. Trump has until Jan. 4, 2024, to make his appeal, just one day before the state’s deadline to finalize the list of candidates for the GOP primary, scheduled for March 5.
Dozens of similar cases are seeking to replicate the Colorado ruling, potentially causing a political headache for Trump. The Supreme Court has never before ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, but that is likely to change next year. If the court declines to take up the case or upholds the Colorado ruling, Trump will be removed from primary ballots in that state.
“This pathetic gambit to rig the Election has failed all across the Country, including in States that have historically leaned heavily toward the Democrats,” Trump expressed his frustration on Truth Social. “Colorado is the only State to have fallen prey to the scheme.”
Despite these legal challenges, GOP strategists and Trump allies remain confident that his campaign will benefit from the situation.
“I think that what the extreme Left is doing here is political manna from heaven for Trump,” said Gregg Keller, a Republican consultant. “The only states that are taking this on are states that are completely in the thrall of the radical judicial Left.”
There are indications that California, another blue-leaning state similar to Colorado, may also attempt to remove Trump from its primary ballot. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis (D-CA) recently called for Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a Democrat, to explore ”every legal option” to exclude Trump. Additionally, a pending case from Free Speech For People is awaiting a decision from the Oregon Supreme Court.
Trump’s legal team has even requested that Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows recuse herself from deciding his ballot eligibility, claiming bias against him.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court will likely have the final say on whether Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021, violated the 14th Amendment. The court’s decision will have implications not only in Colorado but in all states.
“You always know that a John Roberts-led court is going to make decisions that are somewhat in keeping with the law but also with an eye towards the Washington, D.C., cocktail set,” commented Keller on the chief justice. “So I would expect Roberts to try to find a way to split the baby on this. However, I think it’s highly likely that the Supreme Court will strike down the Colorado finding.”
If the Supreme Court rules against Trump next month, Keller believes that his campaign will survive the setback.
“I would argue that no, this is not a disaster for Trump,” he stated. “Trump was not going to win Colorado. Trump’s nationwide electoral strategy is not predicated upon winning Colorado. It’s predicated on winning states like Wisconsin, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.”
Kaelan Deese contributed to this story.
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What impact do the lawsuits challenging Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 nomination have on his base of supporters and their perception of the Democratic Party?
Their control or are controlled by Democrats. This just reinforces the narrative that Trump is a threat to their power and that they will stop at nothing to try to prevent him from running again.”
Indeed, these lawsuits have only further galvanized Trump’s base of supporters, who view them as politically motivated attacks on their champion. The former president’s popularity within the Republican Party remains high, and advocacy groups challenging his eligibility for the 2024 nomination may face an uphill battle in swaying public opinion.
Furthermore, despite the legal obstacles, Trump’s fundraising efforts have shown no sign of slowing down. His Save America political action committee (PAC) has already raised more than $100 million this year, which will undoubtedly provide a significant financial advantage as he prepares for a potential presidential run.
As the 2024 election cycle unfolds, it is clear that advocacy groups challenging Trump’s eligibility for the Republican nomination will face an uphill battle. While some state courts have ruled in their favor, the ultimate decision rests with the Supreme Court of the United States. Until then, Trump remains a formidable player in the political arena, with a devoted base of supporters and substantial financial resources at his disposal.
Whether or not Trump will ultimately secure the 2024 Republican nomination remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the legal challenges brought forth by advocacy groups have injected an element of uncertainty into an already fiercely competitive race. The drama surrounding Trump’s eligibility will undoubtedly continue to unfold in the coming months, shaping the landscape of the 2024 presidential election.
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