California’s governor has called on top officials to “explore every legal option” to get Donald Trump off the state’s primary ballot.
The ruling was blasted by critics as “undemocratic” despite legislation under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution barring anyone engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” from holding federal office.
California governor tells top officials to examine 'every option' to remove Trump from 2024 ballot
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A spokesperson from the Trump campaign said: “The Colorado Supreme Court issued a completely flawed decision tonight and we will swiftly file an appeal to the United States Supreme Court.”
Just a few short days after the ruling, California’s lieutenant governor Eleni Kounalakis called for her state to mirror Colorado’s decision.
In a letter addressed to Shirley Weber, the governor told the Californian Secretary of State to “honour the rule of law”.
She wrote: “Based on the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling in Anderson v. Griswold (2023 CO 63), I urge you to explore every legal option to remove former President Donald Trump from California's 2024 presidential primary ballot.
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Eleni Kounalakis called for her state to mirror Colorado’s decision
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“I am prompted by the Colorado Supreme Court's recent ruling that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on the state's ballot as a Presidential Candidate due to his role in inciting an insurrection in the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“This decision is about honoring the rule of law in our country and protecting the fundamental pillars of our democracy.
“Specifically, the Colorado Supreme Court held in Anderson v. Griswold (2023 CO 63) that Trump's insurrection disqualifies him under section three of the Fourteenth Amendment to stand for presidential re-election.
“Because the candidate is ineligible, the court ruled, it would be a ‘wrongful act’ for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on that state's presidential primary ballot.”
Following the Colorado ruling, other states have been playing with the idea of disqualifying Trump from the ballot.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber
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Protesters in Michigan filed a letter to the state court demanding Trump be barred from the state’s ballot, claiming the Colorado ruling had “resolved several issues” relevant to their case.
Likewise in Maine, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows had said she would rule at a later date on challenges to Trump’s qualifications.
“California must stand on the right side of history,” Kounalakis continued.
“California is obligated to determine if Trump is ineligible for the California ballot for the same reasons described in Anderson.
Donald Trump's team called the ruling 'undemocratic'
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“The Colorado decision can be the basis for a similar decision here in our state.
“The constitution is clear: you must be 35 years old and not be an insurrectionist.”
Commenting on the letter, co-owner of Trending Politics Colin Rugg, said “Communism has officially come to America.”
Weber is yet to take a definitive stance in response to the request but a spokesperson for her office said the Secretary of State is reviewing the Colorado opinion to “assess its impact”.
