According to Daily Mail, Donald Trump has reportedly expressed concerns over the possibility that the Supreme Court might support Colorado and Maine’s efforts to prevent him from appearing on the Republican primary ballot. Both states have moved to exclude Trump due to his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack by his supporters. Legal challenges in these states cite Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars officeholders who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion.
There is apprehension within Trump’s camp that the Supreme Court, despite its conservative supermajority, may rule against him to avoid appearing politically biased. Trump, who appointed three conservative justices during his presidency, has privately criticized the court for not supporting him in his 2020 election-related cases.
Colorado’s highest court recently declared Trump ineligible for the primary, while Trump remains on the ballot in the state as he seeks a Supreme Court ruling on the decision’s validity. Maine’s decision to exclude Trump from the ballot was anticipated by his team, who prepared an appeal in advance. Critics argue that Trump, though facing charges related to the Capitol attack, has not been criminally charged with insurrection. Some also raise concerns about the unilateral decision by Maine’s secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, who is affiliated with the Democratic Party and is not an elected official but an appointed one.
Challenges to Trump’s eligibility for primary nominations have been filed in over two dozen states, with fourteen states still having active suits pending. These decisions have injected uncertainty into the Republican contest, especially with primary elections in early states scheduled to begin as early as January 15 with the Iowa caucuses.
