Capitol offence: GOP frontrunner cut from another state ballot
The former president blasted the Illinois decision as politically motivated and unjust.
A judge in the US state of Illinois on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) ordered former president Donald Trump stricken off the state’s primary ballot over his role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
The decision by Cook County Circuit judge Tracie Porter comes as similar anti-Trump ballot measures have cropped up in several states, including a Colorado ruling now before the US Supreme Court.
The question before the nine US judges is whether Mr Trump, the presumed Republican nominee, is ineligible to appear on the Republican presidential primary ballot in Colorado because he engaged in an insurrection – the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters.
Mr Trump blasted the Illinois decision as politically motivated and unjust.
“Democrat front-groups continue to attempt to interfere in the election and deny President Trump his rightful place on the ballot,” the former president’s campaign said, vowing to appeal the decision.
Anticipating pushback, Ms Porter put her decision on pause until Friday to allow an appeal.
“In the meantime, President Trump remains on the Illinois ballot, is dominating the polls, and will Make America Great Again!” Mr Trump’s campaign said.
Advocacy group Free Speech For People, which spearheaded the Illinois disqualification effort, in a statement praised the ruling as a “historic victory”.
Colorado and Maine earlier removed Mr Trump from their state ballots after determining he is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the constitution. Both decisions are on hold while Mr Trump appeals.
Section 3 bars from public office anyone who took an oath to support the US constitution and then has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof”.
Colorado and more than a dozen other states are to hold their presidential nominating contests on March 5 – also known as “Super Tuesday” – and the Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling before then.
AFP
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