Trump asks Maine judge for pause to let U.S. Supreme Court rule on ballot access
Former President Donald Trump is asking a Maine judge to halt proceedings over ballot access so the U.S. Supreme Court can rule on a Colorado case in which Trump was kicked off the ballot for his role in the attack on the US from January 6, 2021 Capitol
PORTLAND, Maine — Former President Donald Trump on Monday asked a state judge to halt proceedings over ballot access in Maine, giving the U.S. Supreme Court time to rule on a Colorado case in which Trump was kicked off the ballot for his role in the January 6 elections. 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Democrat Shenna Bellows of Maine last month became the first secretary of state in history to block someone from running for president under the rarely used Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This provision prohibits those “involved in the insurrection” from holding office.
In Colorado, the state Supreme Court reached the same conclusion in a 4-3 decision, and that case has already been appealed by Trump's lawyers to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in the Colorado case, and Trump's lawyers have asked a Maine Superior Court judge to pause the state proceeding because issues before the Supreme Court are “identical to the federal issues before the Supreme Court in this case.” have been addressed, the resolution of which may result in the settlement of this case.”
For the first time, the Supreme Court will examine the meaning and scope of a provision of the 14th Amendment. Section 3 of the Constitution has hardly been used since the years after the Civil War, when it prevented defeated Confederates from returning to their former government positions. The two-sentence clause says that anyone who has sworn an oath to “support” the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection cannot hold office unless a two-thirds majority of Congress allows it.
In Maine, Bellows invoked the provision less than two weeks ago, but she said she would abide by whatever the court decides. Her decision is temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the lawsuit. Trump's lawyers argue, among other things, that she should have recused herself.
Republicans are outraged by her decision, and a Maine House Republican lawmaker has proposed an impeachment resolution. The House could deal with the case as early as Tuesday. But the impeachment effort is a gamble because Democrats control both chambers of the Maine Legislature.
Bellows has called the impeachment effort a sham and political theater. “I have confidence in my decision and confidence in the rule of law,” she said earlier.