In a recent ruling, a Michigan court has asserted that former President Donald Trump is eligible to run in the state’s 2024 presidential primary. The court has quashed any doubts raised by activist groups regarding his eligibility under the insurrection clause.
What Happened: As reported by The Hill, James Redford, a judge at the Michigan Court of Claims, dismissed claims on Tuesday that declared Trump unfit for the presidency due to his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
Suits of a similar nature have been seen in Colorado and Minnesota, with the latter ruling against it last week. The Minnesota Supreme Court stated that the primary election is an internal party affair and does not establish the candidate’s eligibility for the general ballot or presidency. The court also clarified that there are no state statutes that prevent a party from nominating a candidate on the ballot.
The case in Colorado is due for final arguments on Wednesday, and the verdict will be announced by Friday. Meanwhile, in Michigan, Judge Redford stated that since Trump followed the state’s laws to qualify for the primary ballot, he cannot be removed from it.
Redford also suggested that the decision to disqualify Trump under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which deals with insurrection or rebellion against the government, should be made by Congress.
Activist group Free Speech for People, which filed the suits, has plans to appeal the decision immediately, as reported by The Associated Press (AP).
Why It Matters: This recent development follows a series of legal challenges aimed at preventing Trump from running in the 2024 elections. According to Benzinga, the Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed a similar lawsuit.
The lawsuit also invoked the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals involved in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office.
Trump’s political future also faced a significant threat from a Colorado lawsuit as reported by Benzinga last month. The lawsuit aimed to leverage Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to disqualify Trump from the 2024 presidential race due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, events.
These lawsuits highlight the contentious debate over Trump’s eligibility for the presidency and the broader implications of the 14th Amendment in American politics. With the Michigan court’s ruling, it remains to be seen how this debate will unfold in the upcoming elections.
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