Former President Donald Trump is pushing back against his disqualification from Maine’s Republican presidential primary ballot due to his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In a court filing on Tuesday, Trump appealed to a state Superior Court, seeking to overturn Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ decision to bar him from the March 5 primary ballot.
Trump challenges ineligibility and Capitol insurrection allegations
As the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Trump faces a legal challenge over accusations of inciting insurrection to maintain power after his defeat in the 2020 election.
Secretary Bellows, a Democrat, deemed Trump ineligible to hold office again under the U.S. Constitution, sparking a legal dispute.
“I have confidence in my decision and in the rule of law,” asserted Bellows in response to the appeal, defending her conclusion that Trump incited an insurrection.
Read More: Man breaks into Colorado Supreme Court days after Trump ballot ruling
Trump faces allegations of bias and due process violations
Trump’s legal team contends in a court filing that Bellows’ decision reflects a “process infected by bias and pervasive lack of due process.”
They dispute the insurrection allegations, arguing that Bellows exceeded her authority in excluding Trump from the ballot.
The legal battle hinges on whether Trump’s actions on January 6 constitute grounds for disqualification.
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment comes into focus
Former Maine lawmakers, along with advocacy groups and anti-Trump voters, have leveraged Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to challenge Trump’s eligibility.
The provision prohibits individuals from holding office if they engage in “insurrection” after pledging allegiance to the United States.
Similar challenges in other states further complicate the legal landscape surrounding Trump’s eligibility.
Also Read: Maine Secretary of State denies political motivations in excluding Trump from ballot
Supreme Court’s role in resolving eligibility questions
With the U.S. Supreme Court already involved in the matter following Trump’s disqualification from the primary ballot in Colorado, a nationwide resolution to questions about Trump’s eligibility may be on the horizon.
The Supreme Court’s imminent consideration of the issue adds a layer of significance to Trump’s appeal in Maine.
“The ballot challenges are a hostile assault on American democracy,” asserts Trump’s campaign, highlighting the broader implications of the legal battles.
Polls show Trump’s GOP commanding lead
Despite the legal challenges, opinion polls consistently depict Trump with a commanding lead in the Republican nominating contest.
With state-by-state contests set to begin on January 15 in Iowa, the legal uncertainties surrounding Trump’s eligibility add a layer of complexity to the early stages of the presidential race.
As Trump confronts multiple legal battles on different fronts, the outcomes of these cases hold the potential to shape not only his political future but also set legal precedents regarding the consequences of actions taken by public figures in the aftermath of contested elections.
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