Constitutional Clause Cited to Exclude Former President
In a surprising turn of events, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced on Thursday evening that former President Donald Trump would be ineligible for the state’s 2024 primary ballot. The decision was based on a clause in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits individuals who have “engaged in insurrection” from running for elected office without two-thirds congressional approval.
Historical Context of the Clause
Originally intended to prevent former Confederate soldiers and officers from holding positions in the U.S. government or military, the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause has now become the basis for Trump’s exclusion from the primary ballot. This clause was recently referenced by Colorado’s highest court in a 4-3 ruling, which also barred Trump from that state’s primary ballot and set the stage for a potential battle in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Republican Party Rallies Around Trump
Bellows’ decision has had an unexpected outcome, as it has unified the Republican Party behind Trump. Both his allies and rivals within the party have come out in support of him, seeing this as an infringement on his rights. While most national Democrats have remained silent on the matter, some have applauded Trump’s removal from the Maine primary ballot.
Democrats Support Constitutional Interpretation
While Republicans rally around Trump, Democrats are pointing to the clear language of the Fourteenth Amendment. Representative Chellie Pingree from Maine stated, “No person who engaged in an insurrection against the government can ever again serve in elected office.” She further emphasized that Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, when he incited a violent mob to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College and overturn the 2020 presidential election, appear to be in direct violation of the Constitution.
Representative Bill Pascrell from New Jersey echoed these sentiments, stating that Trump should be permanently banned from the presidency due to his role in inciting a violent riot to overthrow American democracy.
This decision by the Maine Secretary of State has set the stage for a legal and political battle over the interpretation of the Constitution and its implications for holding elected office in the United States. The controversy surrounding Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 primary ballot is likely to continue as the issue heads towards the U.S. Supreme Court.