Republican Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Dan Patrick, has ignited a political firestorm by hinting at the possibility of removing President Joe Biden from the state’s ballot, drawing inspiration from a recent historic ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Patrick’s provocative statement was delivered during an appearance on Fox News, as reported by The Daily Beast. Drawing parallels to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to exclude former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot, Patrick justified his contemplation by expressing concerns over Biden’s border policies.
“Seeing what happened in Colorado makes me think—except we believe in democracy in Texas—maybe we should take Joe Biden off the ballot in Texas for allowing eight million people to cross the border since he’s been president disrupting our state,” Patrick asserted during the interview.
This threat to remove Biden from the ballot immediately raised questions about the potential ramifications of such a move, with Patrick emphasizing that it won’t be entertained in Texas due to the state’s commitment to democratic principles.
Despite attributing his consideration to concerns over border security, critics argue that Patrick’s suggestion appears more retaliatory than rooted in genuine democratic concerns.
This controversial statement comes just hours after the Colorado Supreme Court’s groundbreaking decision to bar Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential ballot. The court, in a narrow 4-3 decision, asserted that Trump’s alleged involvement in the January 6 riot amounted to participating in an insurrection, rendering him ineligible for the presidency.
The court underscored its commitment to impartiality, stating in a 4-3 decision, “We do not reach these conclusions lightly. We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us. We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach.”
Trump and his campaign swiftly responded, expressing their intent to appeal the decision. Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung conveyed confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, asserting, “We have full confidence that the U.S. Supreme Court will quickly rule in our favor and finally put an end to these unAmerican lawsuits.”
