Trump Sues Michigan Secretary of State for Ballot Eligibility
Former President Donald J. Trump takes legal action in order to secure his spot on the 2024 presidential ballot.
Donald J. Trump, the leading contender for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination, has filed a lawsuit against Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State. The lawsuit aims to address the uncertainty surrounding Mr. Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 election, which was caused by Benson’s failure to respond to the Trump campaign’s communications regarding his ballot eligibility. The 64-page filing emphasizes that other parties have also sued Benson, arguing that Mr. Trump is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for his alleged involvement in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution.
Trump’s Legal Battle Over Ballot Eligibility
The legal battle over Donald Trump’s eligibility to run for president continues to escalate. In Michigan, the latest turn in this nationwide dispute emerged when Mr. Trump lodged a lawsuit in state court. Simultaneously, a trial took place in Colorado to determine whether Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election meet the disqualification criteria outlined in the 14th Amendment.
Expert Testimony Highlights Trump’s Influence on Far-Right Extremism
During the ongoing trial in Colorado, expert witness Peter Simi, an authority on political extremism and violence, testified about the influence of Donald Trump’s rhetoric on far-right extremists. Simi noted that Trump’s ambiguous language often resonates with extremists, with his comments before and on January 6, 2021, serving as a key influence on those who later rioted at the Capitol. Specifically, Simi highlighted Trump’s speech at the Ellipse, where he repeatedly called on his supporters to “fight” to prevent the alleged theft of the election.
A Controversial Interpretation of Trump’s Remarks
Mr. Simi’s testimony suggested that a call to “fight” within the context of imminent threats and the potential loss of one’s country could be understood as a call to take violent action. However, Trump’s legal team questioned the selectiveness of Simi’s chosen moments and cast doubt on whether the former president intended for the far-right to interpret his remarks in the way they did.
Multiple Lawsuits and the Role of the Supreme Court
More cases challenging Trump’s eligibility for future presidential bids are on the horizon. Apart from the ongoing litigation in Michigan and Colorado, similar lawsuits have been filed in New Hampshire, and oral arguments in a Minnesota case are set to begin soon. Additionally, Democratic legislators in California have requested a court opinion on Trump’s eligibility. It’s important to note that the rulings in these cases will likely be appealed, and the final decision is likely to rest with the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority.
Read More of this Story at www.nytimes.com – 2023-10-31 22:37:13
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