Trump Seeks Legal Intervention to Ensure Inclusion in Michigan’s 2024 Primary Ballot

18

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has submitted a legal filing to the Michigan Court of Claims, urging the court to bar Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson from excluding his name from the 2024 presidential primary ballot.

The legal team representing Trump has petitioned the court to formally rule that Secretary Benson lacks both the responsibility and authority to evaluate Trump’s constitutional eligibility for the presidency.

This legal action comes as a response to a campaign by activists in Michigan who are seeking a judicial mandate directing Benson to keep Trump’s name off the ballot for the presidential election. The activists refer to Article 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which disqualifies any individual from running for federal office if they have participated in an insurrection or rebellion against the United States or supported those who have.

A Michigan Court of Claims judge last week declined to dismiss the activists’ lawsuit against Trump, as noted by the Detroit Free Press.

This legal endeavor by the activists is similar to initiatives across the country, where Donald Trump is depicted as the instigator of the attack on the U.S. Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021. This attack aimed to prevent the congressional certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.

In a parallel case, a lawsuit in Colorado is also citing the Constitution’s “insurrection” clause as grounds for barring Trump from the state’s 2024 primary ballot. Legal representatives for six Republican and unaffiliated Colorado voters contend that Trump’s inflammatory language prior to the Capitol attack implicates him.

Additionally, a hearing is slated for this week before the Minnesota Supreme Court concerning the matter.

In their Michigan legal filing submitted on Monday, Trump’s lawyers characterized the events of January 6, 2021, as a “riot,” explicitly stating that these events do not meet the definition of an “insurrection” under Article 3 of the 14th Amendment. They argued that “engaging” in insurrection would require a degree of active participation, and that mere inaction is insufficient for disqualification.

Trump is currently regarded as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

According to the filing made on behalf of Trump in Michigan, “Despite President Trump’s considerable public support, there exists a group intent on denying Michigan voters the ability to express their electoral preference for him. They aim to compel the secretary of state to abdicate her duties and wield powers she does not possess to remove President Trump’s name from the ballot, using the court as a means to achieve this objective.”

As of Tuesday, Secretary Benson’s office has indicated that it is unable to comment on ongoing legal matters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Trump Michigan 2024 Primary Ballot Legal Action

More about Trump Michigan 2024 Primary Ballot Legal Action

• Michigan Court of Claims Official Website
• Jocelyn Benson’s Official Bio
• Full Text of the 14th Amendment
• Detroit Free Press Article on the Case
• Legal Actions in Other States Against Trump’s Candidacy
• Overview of Republican Candidates for 2024 Presidential Election