When Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, recently excluded former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot, it sparked discussions on the application of the 14th Amendment’s Section 3, reported by CBS News on Saturday, December 30, 2023. The decision has raised questions about its potential impact on Trump’s political future.
Who is Bellows, a Democrat in office since 2021, underlined her commitment to upholding both Maine’s election law and the U.S. Constitution. She stated that evidence presented during a public hearing on December 15, 2023, led her to the conclusion that Trump was aware of efforts to delegitimize the 2020 election and subsequently engaged in an insurrection.
How Bellows, referencing the events of January 6, 2021, deemed unprecedented and tragic, emphasized that the U.S. Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of the government. Under Maine law, voters can challenge a candidate’s qualifications triggering a public hearing. Bellows stressed Maine’s commitment to voting rights played a role in her swift decision, stating, “In Maine, we’re very proud of our voting rights.”
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From Trump’s legal team, a quick response ensued, announcing intentions to file a legal objection to prevent Bellows’ decision from taking effect. The Trump campaign characterized it as an “attempted theft of an election” and the “disenfranchisement of the American voter.”
Who is Trump’s defense against disqualification centered on First Amendment protections, arguing that his speech is shielded from such actions? However, Bellows rejected this, stating, “The law is very clear that the First Amendment doesn’t permit incitement of an insurrection.”
When the decision in Maine adds to the complex legal landscape surrounding Trump’s eligibility, with Colorado having previously disqualified him from its presidential primary ballot under similar grounds, an appeal pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. The outcome could have broader implications for challenges to Trump’s eligibility nationwide.
From Bellows’ decision, she now faces the possibility of impeachment. Republican lawmakers, including State Representative John Andrews, expressed discontent, viewing Bellows’ ruling as hyper-partisanship. Despite this, the path to impeachment appears challenging in Maine’s Democratic-controlled legislature.
