In a pivotal move for the potential bid of Trump for the presidency, Michigan’s top court declined to entertain a case seeking to bar him from the state’s primary ballot.
The court refused an appeal by four voters aiming to disqualify Trump due to his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, citing constitutional constraints.
Citing a provision in the U.S. Constitution prohibiting individuals engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” from holding office, the voters contested Trump’s eligibility. However, the Michigan Supreme Court swiftly dismissed the appeal, declining to delve into the matter.
Trump hailed the decision on his Truth Social platform, decrying it as a “desperate Democrat attempt” to remove him from the Michigan ballot. This contrasts with a recent Colorado ruling disqualifying Trump under the same constitutional provision, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, prompting Trump to plan an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Though indicted federally and facing legal scrutiny in Georgia related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Trump hasn’t been formally charged with insurrection linked to the Capitol siege. The looming prospect of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling potentially resolves the nationwide controversy surrounding Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 presidential race.
Expressing disappointment, Mark Brewer, the voters’ attorney, noted the court’s decision as procedural, hinting at plans to revive the case for the November 2024 general election, emphasizing the constitutional principle at stake.
Unlike Colorado, the Michigan Supreme Court refrained from ruling on the merits of Trump’s alleged involvement in insurrection. Instead, they upheld lower court decisions, deeming it inappropriate for courts to arbitrate the issue ahead of the primary election.
Michigan holds significant sway as a crucial swing state likely to impact the general election’s outcome, setting the stage for ongoing debates about Trump’s eligibility, mirroring challenges in various states invoking the 14th Amendment.
