On Tuesday, Michigan judge James Redford ruled Donald Trump would remain on Michigan’s Presidential ballot in 2024.
A Michigan judge dismissed on Tuesday a lawsuit which attempted to use the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist prohibition” to remove Donald Trump’s name from the 2024 state ballot.
Separately, the judge ruled that Michigan’s secretary of state does not have the authority under state law to determine Trump’s eligibility for the office based on constitutional amendment.
Recent polls indicate that the rulings are a major win for the former President, who is currently leading the Republican primary race in 2024.
A recent ruling in Minnesota confirmed that the former president Trump will remain on the Minnesota ballot.
Minnesota Supreme Court just ruled former President Donald Trump would remain on the state’s presidential ballot in 2024. The ruling was based partly on First Amendment arguments made by the Minnesota Republican Party.
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a request to exclude former President Donald Trump’s name from the ballot in 2024 under the U.S. Constitution’s insurrection provision that dates back to the post-Civil War Reconstruction period.
The decision was made quickly. Five justices heard the oral arguments in the case on Thursday, and were skeptical throughout the 70-minute hearing.
Natalie Hudson, Chief Justice of the United States, began by saying: “The question I am most concerned about is ‘Should We?’.” She warned of electoral chaos in the event that 50 state courts ruled differently on Trump’s qualification. “So, shall we do it?” She asked.
A similar case has also been allowed in Colorado. A decision is expected this week. Last autumn, a similar attempt was made in New Hampshire. Meanwhile, California politicians have been working the 14th Amendment angle in order to exclude Trump from a vote in a state that he is unlikely to win.
The Michigan decision is interesting in many ways.
Michigan Court of Claims judge James Redford stated in his ruling Tuesday that the questions regarding Trump’s involvement in the January 6, 2020, insurrection and whether or not it would constitutionally bar him from returning to Washington should be addressed in Congress by elected representatives. He said that it was a political question that should not be decided by the judiciary.
Redford wrote that if a court had disqualified Trump, it would have taken the decision from a body of representatives elected by the people in every state of the country, and given it to only one judicial officer. This person, no matter how well-intentioned and fair they may be, could not in any way or form represent the qualities of all citizens of the nation.
Judge Redford seems to be making a distinction between the judiciary and the state legislature.
Normal circumstances would see multiple cases (such as those in Michigan, Minnesota and Colorado) appealed to Supreme Court, which has expressed a disinterest in hearing them.
Donald Trump is still on the ballot for now in Michigan, New Hampshire and Minnesota, as well as the other states. His seemingly unsurmountable lead (disclaimer – it’s still early and no primary votes have yet been cast), would appear to be a fast track to the GOP nomination.
We will keep you updated on the latest developments in these legal proceedings.
