An Illinois judge ruled on Wednesday to have former President Donald Trump removed from the state’s GOP primary ballot for his alleged role in the events that occurred at the Capitol on January 6.
Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter barred Trump from the ballot one month after another anti-Trump challenge was dismissed by the Illinois State Board of Elections. Porter’s decision was made based on the “insurrection clause” in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Trump spokesperson Stephen Cheung downplayed the decision, describing Porter as an activist, Democrat judge and stating that the ruling would be quickly overturned.
“Today, an activist Democrat judge in Illinois summarily overruled the state’s board of elections and contradicted earlier decisions from dozens of other state and federal jurisdictions,” Cheung said, calling it an “unconstitutional ruling.”
NEW: @TheStevenCheung releases a statement on an Illinois judge ruling to remove him from the primary ballot:
“The Soros-funded Democrat front-groups continue to attempt to interfere in the election and deny President Trump his rightful place on the ballot.” pic.twitter.com/2rrJ3Qer9K
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) February 29, 2024
Porter’s decision comes as a similar ruling in Colorado is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is widely expected to rule in favor of Trump, but they have not yet issued a formal ruling.
Porter relied heavily on the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision calling the court’s rationale “compelling” as she overturned the Illinois State Board of Elections.
“The court also realizes the magnitude of this decision and its impact on the upcoming primary Illinois elections,” Porter wrote. “The Illinois State Board of Election shall remove Donald J. Trump from the ballot for the General Primary Election on March 19, 2024, or cause any votes cast for him to be suppressed.”
The 14th Amendment cited by Porter states that no person shall “hold any office” in the United States “who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States…shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
Trump has still never been charged with inciting an insurrection nor has he ever been found guilty of participating in one.
Along with the pending Colorado case, the Supreme Court has also agreed to hear a case deciding whether or not Trump has immunity shielding him from lawsuits regarding his alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
