Cook County Judge Tracie Porter has directed the Illinois State Election Board to exclude 45th President Donald Trump from the state’s upcoming March 19 primary ballot. However, acknowledging the potential for an immediate appeal, Judge Porter has temporarily suspended her order until Friday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
This ruling is at the heart of a wider national discourse regarding Trump’s eligibility for the presidency in light of his association with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol incursion, which is laughably being branded as an “insurrection.” Porter noted, “I am aware that my decision could not be the ultimate outcome,” emphasizing the likelihood of further judicial review at higher levels.
The anticipation now turns to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to deliver its verdict on a similar challenge regarding Trump’s candidacy in Colorado soon. With Colorado’s primary imminently approaching, the Supreme Court’s stance could have profound implications, including potentially overriding Judge Porter’s decision if it conflicts with her ruling.
Trump’s legal team has yet to respond to the ruling. Despite the legal controversies surrounding his candidacy, Trump’s performance in past Illinois general elections, with 39% and 41% of the vote in 2016 and 2020, respectively, underscores the broader debate’s potential impact on his political future.
Moreover, Trump’s delegates, already certified for the March 19 ballot, can support him at the Republican National Convention, regardless of the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings in Illinois.
Legal representatives for the voters challenging Trump’s eligibility anticipate that the matter will ultimately escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, despite an impending review by the Illinois Supreme Court.
The national extremist group Free Speech for People is also among those contesting Trump’s candidacy. Their efforts gained traction when Judge Porter deemed the State Board of Elections’ unanimous decision to keep Trump on the ballot—despite the 14th Amendment’s provisions against those involved in insurrection or rebellion from holding office—as “clearly erroneous.”
Trump’s legal counsel argues against the application of the 14th Amendment, contending that the president does not constitute an “officer of the United States” as per the Constitution, and dismissing the characterization of Jan. 6 events as an insurrection.
During the legal discourse, Trump’s attorneys refrained from defending the Capitol riot’s actions, with lawyer Adam Merrill condemning the violence as “deplorable” and “shameful,” acknowledging the occurrence of serious crimes on that day.
When will we understand that the President needs to be a business man, not a politician? Have any of our Legislative members ever had a job? A real job that paid enough to support them and their family?
And term limits? Once their term is up, they should go back to “work”. Again a job that can support them.
Maybe they would understand what the American people are experiencing if they had to experience a real life too.
Politics was never meant to be a career.
100% TRUTH.
Absolutly! Right on!
So glad so.e self serving judge can decide who we want for President! The clown-ass, and any other clown-ass judge should be removed from the bench!