Trump, whose front-running Republican candidacy could be threatened, appealed the Maine decision by Democrat Shenna Bellows, who became the first secretary of state in history to bar someone from running for the presidency under the rarely used Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That provision prohibits those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office.

The former president is expected to soon appeal a similar ban by the Colorado Supreme Court. That appeal would go to the U.S. Supreme Court, while Bellows’ action is being appealed to a Maine Superior Court.

Trump’s appeal on Tuesday asks that Bellows be required to place him on the March 5 primary ballot. The appeal argues that she abused her discretion and relied on “untrustworthy evidence.”

  • phx
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    6 months ago

    I think it’s fair to point out it’s a rarely used law, as it’s indicative of exceptional circumstances.

    • girlfreddyOP
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      6 months ago

      Exceptional circumstances like Trump being elected President of the United States and trying to steal the following election?

      • DigitalNirvana@lemm.ee
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        6 months ago

        With the assistance of Russia and China, as a way to destabilize the USA, and destroy democracy, perhaps? But that’s not how the article emphasized things.

    • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      I think the added context is important. Rarely enforced laws sometimes are stupid old laws that only get pulled out as attacks and sometimes they’re part of the structural integrity of your society but they’re rarely broken. One side of the political aisle is convinced this situation is the former.