As 14th Amendment interpretations play out in courtrooms and election offices across the country, former President Donald Trump is appealing a ruling that bars him from the 2024 ballot in Maine. Last week, Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, declared Trump was not eligible to hold public office under the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause and, therefore, will not appear on the 2024 ballot.
And the United States Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government. And under Maine election law, I was required to act in response.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows
Since the decision, Bellows said she has received death threats and that her family was swatted after her address was leaked.
Now, Trump’s team has appealed bellows’ ruling. In the 11-page complaint, Trump’s team argued Bellows is “biased” and urged the courts to vacate her ruling. The complaint goes on to say that Bellows should have recused herself and failed to provide lawful due process.
Bellows told NPR that her personal view played no role in the decision and that she has a duty to uphold the Constitution.
“And the evidence presented at the hearing demonstrated that they occurred at the behest of and with the knowledge and support of the outgoing president,” Bellows said. “And the United States Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government. And under Maine election law, I was required to act in response.”
Trump is expected to appeal a similar ruling in Colorado after the state Supreme Court ruled to keep him off the ballot; the Colorado Republican Party has already appealed that ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. Both decisions have been paused as the appeals play out in court, meaning Trump’s name remains on the ballot for now.