Maine has become the second state to disqualify former President Donald Trump from featuring on its primary ballot, citing alleged breaches of the 14th Amendment.
The decision, announced by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, hinges on Trump’s actions before and during the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection, according to a report by The Hill on Thursday, December 28.
In a comprehensive 34-page ruling, Bellows outlined that Trump had employed a baseless narrative of election fraud to rally his supporters, directing them to the Capitol with the intent of impeding the certification of the 2020 election and disrupting the peaceful transfer of power.
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Bellows asserted that Trump, cognizant of the potential for violence, initially fueled it through provocative language and a failure to promptly quell the situation.
The Maine ruling follows a similar decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, which also barred Trump from its primary ballot for comparable reasons. However, the Maine decision holds a unique distinction as it was made by a state official rather than a court.
Acknowledging the weight of her decision, Bellows underscored her duty under Maine’s election laws to ensure that candidates meet the qualifications for the office they seek.
Reacting to the ruling, the Trump campaign vehemently criticized Bellows, labeling her as a “virulent leftist and a hyper-partisan Biden-supporting Democrat.” The campaign plans to appeal the decision.
Previously, Trump’s attorneys had requested Bellows’s recusal, citing bias. However, Bellows maintained that her decision was impartial, solely based on presented evidence and uninfluenced by personal views or political affiliations.
The crux of the debate revolves around whether Trump’s actions constitute support for an insurrection and whether the 14th Amendment’s application extends to the presidency. Bellows aligned herself with the Colorado Supreme Court’s determination that Trump’s actions met the threshold and affirmed the amendment’s relevance to the presidency.
While Maine’s decision adds to the legal battles surrounding Trump’s eligibility for future candidacy, other states like Minnesota and Michigan have rejected similar challenges to his ballot qualifications. The Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed 14th Amendment claims as premature, while Michigan’s state court ruled against its Secretary of State determining Trump’s 14th Amendment violation.
The disqualification of Trump from Maine’s primary ballot amplifies the ongoing legal discourse about his potential candidacy, emphasizing the enduring impact and repercussions of the January 6, 2021 events.
