A district court in Wyoming has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to exclude former President Donald Trump and Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis from election ballots. The lawsuit, initiated by retired attorney Tim Newcomb, contended that Trump and Lummis violated the 14th Amendment’s treason clause due to their alleged roles in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach.
Wyoming’s Republican Secretary of State Chuck Gray lauded Judge Westby’s decision to reject the lawsuit, which he criticized as baseless and offensive. Gray, who actively advocated for Trump’s inclusion on the ballot, expressed relief that the court granted the motion to dismiss.
Newcomb, in his legal arguments, also expressed concerns about potential death threats against the District Court judge and others involved if the ruling favored his claims. He warned of possible threats against the judge, litigants, witnesses, staff, and their families.
Senator Lummis welcomed the dismissal of the case, labeling it as “frivolous.” She emphasized that Wyoming’s electorate should determine the outcome of elections and condemned attempts to disqualify candidates as assaults on voter freedom and electoral integrity.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s placement on ballots extends beyond Wyoming. In Colorado, Secretary Gray filed an amicus curiae brief with the Colorado Supreme Court in response to a lower court labeling Trump as an “insurrectionist” due to the January 6 events. However, the Colorado Supreme Court ultimately ruled against Trump, citing his role in inciting violence to disrupt the peaceful transition of power.
Trump has since petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Colorado ruling, arguing that the Colorado Supreme Court overstepped its authority. Additionally, Maine has removed Trump from its ballot, a decision Trump is contesting in state court. Similar efforts to exclude Trump from ballots are underway in other states, including Illinois, Oregon, and Massachusetts, signaling a widespread legal challenge concerning his eligibility for future elections.