Staff Reports
A federal judge in Arizona recently dismissed a case that sought to prevent former President Donald Trump from being included on the 2024 ballot. An Obama appointee, Judge Douglas Leroy Rayes, dismissed the case filed by Republican presidential candidate John Castro, who argued that the insurrection clause of the United States Constitution prohibits Mr. Trump from holding federal office.
Obama judge dismisses Arizona case trying to remove Trump from 2024 ballothttps://t.co/fZG25Q4pEC pic.twitter.com/MTJvQ5slSX
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 6, 2023
This is the seventh state in which a court has ruled against an initiative to remove President Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot in retaliation for the rioting in the United States Capitol on January 6. The Trump campaign jubilated over the outcome, referring to the litigation as "a desperate publicity campaign by a troll allied with Biden who was bicarbonate."
Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the campaign, condemned the cases as "valiant endeavors to disrupt the 2024 presidential election" and demanded that the remaining 14th Amendment cases be expeditiously resolved. Adding a zinger, he stated that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible, much like the "recently deceased term 'Bidenomics.'"
Unsurprisingly, Mr. Castro has initiated a multitude of legal proceedings across various states; however, to date, none of them have been successful. Castro is not legitimately competing with Trump for votes or contributions, and as such, is not suffering a tangible competitive injury, according to the ruling of the Arizona judge. With unwavering resolve, Mr. Castro has presently lodged a notice of appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
In conjunction with the Arizona decision, a Rhode Island judge also dismissed Mr. Castro's lawsuit. Further impeding his endeavors, the Supreme Court denied his appeal in a distinct case involving Florida.
Additionally, liberal advocacy groups have intervened by appealing lower court decisions that would have kept Mr. Trump on the primary ballot in Colorado and Michigan. On account of the 2021 Capitol attack, they assert that his reelection is precluded by the Constitutional provision against insurrectionists.
On behalf of a group of electors, a left-leaning watchdog organization, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, has petitioned the Colorado Supreme Court for an appeal; the case is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday.
Concurrently, a magistrate in Michigan ruled in favor of the former president, stating that the state secretary of Michigan is obligated to include his name on the 2024 primary ballot. Nonetheless, opponents of the president have filed an appeal of that ruling, prolonging the legal dispute.
On November 8th, the Minnesota Supreme Court rendered a decision dismissing a case, noting its inability to halt the state party's inclusion of Mr. Trump's name on their ballot. However, the court deferred resolution of the general election matter until a subsequent time. Additionally, New Hampshire officials have taken steps to retain Mr. Trump on the ballot.
Notwithstanding encountering numerous indictments, neither Mr. Trump nor his supporters have been charged with nor convicted of spearheading an uprising during the assault on the United States Capitol. Individuals desiring to have his name removed from state ballots cite the clause in the Constitution that proscribes public office from those who have been involved in rebellion or insurrection.
The legal dispute continues apace, as each party tenaciously defends their respective stances. As the dispute persists, the possibility of President Trump reentering the electoral arena remains a significant concern, instilling unease within the political sphere.
