Maine Democrat Criticizes Trump’s Removal from 2024 Primary Ballot
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(FILES) Former US President Donald Trump arrives at the New York State Supreme Court during the civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization, in New York City on December 7, 2023. The US state of Maine on Thursday blocked former president Donald Trump from its Republican presidential primary over his involvement in the January 2021 assault on the US Capitol, the state's top election official ruled. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said in a ruling that the events of January 6, 2021 "occurred at the behest of, and with the knowledge and support of, the outgoing President," adding "The US Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government." (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / AFP)
Maine House Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden, has criticized his state’s decision to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 Republican primary ballot. Despite voting to impeach Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection, Golden believes that Trump should be allowed on the ballot until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection.
In a surprising move, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows decided to remove Trump from the state’s 2024 primary ballot, citing a clause in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that bars people who have engaged in insurrection from running for elected office without two-thirds congressional approval. This clause was originally intended to prevent former Confederate soldiers and officers from holding positions in the U.S. government or military.
Bellows’ decision has united the Republican Party, including Trump’s allies and rivals, in support of the former president. While most national Democrats have remained silent on the issue, some have applauded Trump’s removal from the Maine primary ballot.
Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, stated that the text of the 14th Amendment is clear, and that Trump’s actions during the January 6th insurrection appear to be in violation of the Constitution. Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat from New Jersey, also expressed his opinion that Trump should be banned from the presidency forever due to his incitement of a violent riot to overthrow American democracy.
The decision made by Bellows has sparked a debate on whether Trump should be allowed to run for president in the 2024 election. Some argue that the Constitution should be upheld, while others believe that Trump’s removal from the ballot is an attempt to suppress his influence in the Republican Party.
The case is now expected to go before the U.S. Supreme Court, where it will be up to the justices to make a ruling on Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 election.
