Democratic congressman slams own state for kicking Trump off ballot

One of Maine's Democratic congressmen on Thursday evening denounced the decision by his state's top election official to bar former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot. The response illustrates how even many Democrats are uncomfortable with using legal means to defeat Trump out of power, rather than relying on the judgment of the electorate.

“I voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 insurrection,” said Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. “I don't believe he should be re-elected as president of the United States.” “However, we are a nation of laws, so until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.” His response joined a bipartisan response after Maine's decision, part of a series of challenges to Trump's standing on the ballot.

A ruling earlier this month by the Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump from voting there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars those “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. That ruling is on hold while higher courts review the question. But that didn't stop Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, from following suit Thursday evening.

“I do not come to this conclusion lightly,” she wrote. “Democracy is sacred… I am aware that no Secretary of State has ever denied a presidential candidate access to ballots under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment. “However, I am also aware that no presidential candidate has ever been involved in an insurrection before.” She made her decision in response to state residents and a group of former Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Trump's campaign immediately said it would appeal. “Make no mistake: these partisan efforts to influence the election are a hostile attack on American democracy,” spokesman Steven Cheung said. “Biden and the Democrats simply do not trust the American voter in free and fair elections and are now relying on the power of government institutions to protect their grip on power.” Trump has been charged in a federal case as well as in Georgia for his role in overturning the 2020 election, but he has not been charged with insurrection in connection with the Jan. 6 attack.

He leads polls by a wide margin in the race for the Republican nomination in 2024. The latest DailyMail.com/JL Partners poll also shows him with a four-point lead over Biden in a 2024 contest. insurrection is a thorny issue for Democrats, who fear any legal challenge will only strengthen Trump's position in the polls. However, many spoke out in support of Maine.

“The text of the 14th Amendment is crystal clear: anyone who participates in insurrection is permanently barred from holding public office,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.). “Donald Trump has incited a violent riot to overthrow American democracy. Of course, he should be banned from the presidency forever.” And there are challenges across the country claiming he should not be on the ballot. Louisiana became the latest state to file a lawsuit seeking to keep Trump off the ballot in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article- 12909779/Democratic-Maine-Trump-ballot-insurrection-election.html?ito=msngallery

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