A judge in Illinois has ruled that former President Donald Trump is disqualified from appearing on the state’s Republican presidential primary ballot due to his involvement in the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter sided with Illinois voters who argued that Trump violated the anti-insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
However, Judge Porter delayed the ruling’s implementation pending an expected appeal by Trump.
The decision in Illinois follows similar actions in Colorado and Maine, where Trump was also removed from their state ballots under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding public office.
While Trump’s campaign spokesperson denounced the ruling as unconstitutional and vowed to appeal swiftly, the advocacy group Free Speech For People hailed it as a “historic victory.”
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing Trump’s challenge to his disqualification in Colorado, with justices expressing concerns during oral arguments about the potential broader implications of states’ actions on national elections.
The final outcome of these legal battles will likely be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court, as Porter’s decision awaits appellate review and potential further action by the highest court in the land.
