In Nevada, a federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit contesting former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to run for office in 2024. U.S. District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro, appointed by former President Obama, ruled that the plaintiff, GOP challenger John Anthony Castro, did not have legal standing in the case.
The lawsuit, filed by Castro in Nevada, raised questions about whether the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits Trump from holding office due to his alleged role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. Judge Navarro, acknowledging the political significance of the case, found that Castro’s lack of standing rendered the court unable to adjudicate the matter.
Navarro clarified the criteria for standing in federal court, stating that a plaintiff must demonstrate a direct, specific injury caused by the defendant’s actions, which a court ruling could address. She noted that the judicial system does not permit plaintiffs to claim jurisdiction based on a generalized public interest.
The judge pointed out that five other courts had already dismissed Castro’s argument regarding his standing as a political competitor. She observed that Castro’s actions, including his declaration of candidacy and payment of the filing fee, appeared to be aimed at creating grounds for the lawsuit rather than genuine electoral participation.
In her ruling, Navarro cited Castro’s own admission, reported by the Associated Press, that his candidacy was primarily a means to challenge the legality of Trump’s presidency. She emphasized that Castro and Trump are not competing in the same Nevada election, with Castro participating in the state-run Presidential Preference Primary (PP), and Trump appearing on a separate caucus ballot.
Numerous lawsuits are now challenging Trump’s eligibility, invoking the Fourteenth Amendment, following the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove him from their state’s ballot. Additionally, Maine’s Democratic Secretary of State also barred Trump from the ballot, citing the insurrection clause.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in February regarding Trump’s challenge to the Colorado ruling. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung hailed the Nevada lawsuit’s dismissal, framing it as a victory for Trump and American voters. Cheung criticized the lawsuits as attempts to undermine Trump’s candidacy, vowing that Trump would combat these attacks and continue his campaign to “Make America Great Again.”