The call only lasted a few days. Donald Trump's lawyers on Tuesday, January 2, asked the courts in Maine to overturn the decision to remove the former American president's name from the ballots for the Republican primaries in this northeastern state of the United States, a measure ten months ago the presidential election.
A week after a similar ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, Maine's Democratic Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, assessed Thursday that the heavy Republican favorite was “unfit to be president” because of his role in the case. the violent attack by his supporters on the Capitol in Washington in January 2021 to prevent the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory. Both states invoked the 14th Amendment, which exempts those who have engaged in “acts of insurrection” from any public liability.
Donald Trump's lawyers argue that Bellows – who became the first secretary of state in history to bar someone from running for president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment – abused her discretionary powers and relied on “unreliable evidence” in making her described as a “biased leader”. who “acted arbitrarily and arbitrarily.”
Also read: US presidential election 2024: After Colorado, Maine excludes Donald Trump from the Republican primaries
“The Secretary of State should have recused herself due to her bias against President Trump, as evidenced by a documented history of past statements,” they wrote.
The appeal against the Colorado decision should not be long in coming
The historic decisions of Maine and Colorado currently only apply to the Republican primaries, which must take place in these two states on March 5, a day called “Super Tuesday” because of the large number of votes cast by Democrats and Republicans were organized. They will not be applied as long as the legal proceedings challenging them are ongoing.
Also read the editorial: The dilemma of the United States before Donald Trump
Donald Trump is also expected to soon appeal the Colorado decision to the United States Supreme Court, which has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment – the Colorado Republican Party has already appealed to the highest court in the land – while Ms. Bellows' lawsuit is initially being adjudicated by the Maine Supreme Court.
“It’s part of the process,” Shenna Bellows said Tuesday. I have confidence in my decision and in the rule of law. This is the Maine process and it is very important that, first and foremost, those who serve in government respect the Constitution and the laws of the state.”
Donald Trump was indicted both federally and by the state of Georgia in August 2023 for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Several lawsuits have been launched in various states to block the path of the big favorite in the Republican primaries. Michigan and Minnesota rejected them.
Read also the analysis: Article reserved for our subscribers Trumpism: a real threat, an uncertain success