Illinois Judge Bars Donald Trump from State’s Primary Ballot for Insurrection, Pending Appeal
In a recent turn of events, an Illinois judge has made a ruling that may have significant implications for former President Donald Trump’s political future. The judge determined that Trump engaged in insurrection and as a result, he has been barred from appearing on the state’s primary ballot. However, the ruling has been put on hold pending an appeal, leaving the final outcome in the hands of the US Supreme Court.
This decision follows similar actions taken by two other states, Colorado and Maine, which have already removed Trump from their primary ballots for violating a 14th Amendment “insurrection” clause. With multiple states taking action against him, it is clear that Trump’s eligibility to appear on primary ballots is being called into question.
The primary election in Illinois is set to take place on March 19, and early voting has already begun. Despite the ruling, Trump will remain on the ballot until at least Friday, giving him time to appeal against the order. The decision to bar Trump from the ballot was made by Cook County circuit judge Tracie Porter, who agreed with voters’ arguments that Trump’s role in the Capitol riot on January 6th violated the US constitution’s 14th Amendment.
This is not the first time Trump has faced such a challenge. Colorado’s Supreme Court previously barred him from appearing on the Republican primary ballot in December, citing his actions during the Capitol riot as insurrection. The Illinois judge referenced Colorado’s decision in her ruling, calling it “compelling” and criticizing the state’s Board of Elections for rejecting a previous bid to remove Trump from the ballot.
“The Illinois State Board of Election shall remove Donald J Trump from the ballot for the General Primary Election on March 19, 2024, or cause any votes cast for him to be suppressed,” Judge Porter stated in her ruling.
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s spokesperson has labeled the ruling as “unconstitutional” and has vowed to appeal against it. The spokesperson also accused “Soros-funded Democrat front-groups” of attempting to interfere in the election and deny Trump his rightful place on the ballot.
In addition to the Illinois case, Trump has already appealed against the Colorado ruling to the Supreme Court. Earlier this month, the top court heard arguments in the case and appeared skeptical of Colorado’s decision to ban Trump from the ballot. The legal challenge centers around a constitutional amendment from the Civil War era, which prohibits anyone who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding federal office.
During the Supreme Court hearing, conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised concerns about the potential disenfranchisement of voters if they were not allowed to decide for themselves whether they wanted Trump as president. This suggests that the court may be considering the broader implications of barring Trump from appearing on primary ballots.
Interestingly, this Illinois judge’s ruling comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s decision to hear yet another case involving Trump. The court, which currently holds a 6-3 conservative majority, will determine whether the former president has immunity protecting him from a lawsuit over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
With all these legal battles surrounding him, it remains to be seen what impact they will have on Trump’s political aspirations. The decisions made by the courts will shape not only his eligibility for future elections but also the broader discussions around accountability for political leaders. The eyes of the nation are on these cases, as they have the potential to set important precedents for the role of insurrection in American democracy.
As the legal battles continue, one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s political future hangs in the balance, and the decisions made by the US Supreme Court will be crucial in determining his fate.
