According to Trending Politics, a legal challenge seeking to disqualify Donald Trump from Michigan’s 2024 ballot using the 14th Amendment’s provision against insurrectionists has been dismissed by a judge in Michigan. The ruling also clarified that the Michigan Secretary of State does not have the authority to decide Trump’s eligibility based on the constitutional amendment. Judge James Redford stated that issues related to Trump’s involvement in the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021, should be addressed by elected representatives in Congress, categorizing the matter as a “political question” beyond the jurisdiction of the courts.
The decision marks a significant victory for the former president. Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, highlighted the dismissal of similar claims in Wayne County, Michigan, as well as in Minnesota and New Hampshire. He characterized these legal challenges as “un-Constitutional left-wing fantasies” orchestrated by allies of the Biden campaign. Cheung expressed confidence in future dismissals of other 14th Amendment cases and emphasized the campaign’s focus on winning Michigan and securing Trump’s re-election in 2024.
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment disqualifies individuals from holding certain offices if they previously swore an oath to support the U.S. Constitution and later engaged in or supported insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. While initially aimed at preventing former Confederate officials from returning to power after the Civil War, this constitutional provision remains applicable today. Last week, a similar lawsuit in Minnesota, arguing that Trump’s objections to the 2020 election violated Section 3, was also dismissed by the state’s Supreme Court. The group behind the petition in Minnesota was involved in the Michigan lawsuit.
