Former President Donald Trump is gearing up for a legal battle against the decisions made by Colorado and Maine to remove him from their primary ballots, with actions anticipated as soon as Tuesday. These rulings, which declare Trump ineligible for the 2024 presidential election, are based on an interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection” clause, relating to his involvement in the events leading up to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, as reported by the New York Times.
In Maine, Trump’s team is preparing to challenge the state’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, in state court for her decision to exclude him from the ballot. Trump, voicing his displeasure on Truth Social, criticized Bellows and highlighted the discontent of his supporters in Maine, including fishermen, loggers, and lobstermen.
The situation in Colorado, however, is set to escalate to the federal level. Following a decision by Colorado’s highest court, Trump’s advisors intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. This move places the spotlight on the Supreme Court, which now has a conservative majority partly due to Trump’s appointment of three justices during his presidency.
Despite Trump’s confidence that the conservative majority in the Supreme Court might work in his favor, he has privately expressed concerns. According to a source cited by The Times, Trump is worried these justices might be hesitant to rule in his favor, fearing perceptions of partisanship.
The legal challenges in Colorado and Maine are just the beginning of what appears to be a broader legal struggle. Reports from Lawfare indicate that efforts to remove Trump from ballots are underway in 14 other states, with more actions potentially forthcoming. While the Secretary of State in California has confirmed Trump’s presence on their ballot, the unfolding legal saga across multiple states marks a significant phase in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections.