In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has appealed to a Maine court to reverse the decision of the state’s Secretary, which disqualified him from the 2024 primary ballot. The disqualification was based on his alleged involvement in the US Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021.
Maine Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, made the announcement last week. She cited a Civil War-era clause in the Constitution that bars individuals who have “engaged in insurrection” from holding office as the basis for her decision. Bellows temporarily suspended her decision, which is specific to Maine, allowing Trump to challenge it in court before the state’s presidential primary election on March 5, 2024.
Trump is also facing similar challenges under the 14th Amendment in other states, including Colorado. The state Supreme Court there has ordered Trump’s removal from the primary ballot, a decision he plans to contest in the US Supreme Court. The final verdict from the US Supreme Court will determine Trump’s eligibility to appear on the primary ballot in Colorado, Maine, and other states where his eligibility is under scrutiny.
On Tuesday, Trump argued that the Secretary of State is a “biased decisionmaker” who lacked the legal authority to hear the challenge seeking to disqualify him from office. He further stated that Bellows “should have recused herself” from making the decision and failed to provide him with “adequate time and opportunity to present a defense.”
In his appeal, Trump wrote, “By submitting his petition and consent as required by the statute, President Trump has met all requirements set forth by the Maine Legislature in the statute and is entitled to be placed on the Republican primary ballot.” He further criticized the Secretary’s ruling, stating that it “wrongfully denied President Trump a place on the Republican primary ballot.”
Trump also claimed in Tuesday’s filing that Bellows “failed to provide lawful due process” and “made multiple errors of law and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner.” He further stated, “President Trump did not ‘engage’ in ‘insurrection’.”
This story will be updated as more details emerge.