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Maine Disqualifies Trump from Primary Ballot

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In a move echoing a recent decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, Maine has barred former President Donald Trump from its presidential primary ballot, invoking a constitutional provision designed to prevent insurrectionists from holding office. This decision, coming just weeks before the 2024 election kicks off, sets the stage for a legal showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, made the decision after a group of citizens challenged Trump’s eligibility, contending that he should be disqualified for his alleged role in inciting the insurrection on January 6, 2021. The Colorado Supreme Court had reached a similar conclusion earlier, prompting a legal battle that is now poised for the highest court in the land.

Bellows, a Democrat, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of her decision, stating, “I am mindful that no secretary of state has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection.”

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was adopted in 1868 after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates who had sworn an oath to the Constitution from holding office if they engaged in insurrection. Though rarely invoked in recent decades, critics of Trump have pointed to this constitutional provision following the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021.

The decisions by Maine and Colorado are currently on hold, allowing Trump to pursue appeals. The legal battle raises questions about whether Trump, who is currently slated to appear on primary ballots in both states, can run for president again. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to provide guidance on this obscure constitutional amendment.

While Colorado and Maine have sided with those challenging Trump’s eligibility, courts in Minnesota and Michigan have ruled that election officials cannot prevent the Republican Party from including Trump on their primary ballots. Michigan’s Supreme Court argued that political parties should determine candidates’ eligibility for the presidential race.

As the 2024 election looms and the possibility of Trump’s third White House run remains uncertain, election officials in Colorado, Maine, and over a dozen other states with primaries on March 5—Super Tuesday—are anxiously awaiting firm answers on ballot inclusions. The U.S. Supreme Court is anticipated to play a pivotal role in resolving this nationwide issue, with both the Colorado Republican Party and Trump himself expected to file appeals challenging the disqualifications. Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, accused Bellows of being a “virulent leftist” interfering in the presidential election, emphasizing concerns about the suspension of civil rights for American voters in certain states.

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Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies Trump from 2024 Ballot

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In a groundbreaking ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court has disqualified former President Donald J. Trump from appearing on the state’s ballots in the 2024 presidential election. The 4-3 decision, made under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, cites Trump’s alleged involvement in the insurrection leading up to the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The ruling, which is currently stayed until January 4 due to anticipated appeals, marks the first time a presidential candidate has been deemed ineligible for election under the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment. Section 3 of the amendment prohibits individuals from holding office if they have engaged in insurrection against the Constitution after taking an oath to support it.

The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision rests on President Trump’s actions in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. The court argues that Trump’s “direct and express efforts” to encourage his supporters to march on the Capitol were overt, voluntary, and aimed at obstructing the peaceful transfer of power.

The court’s ruling aligns with a growing number of legal scholars who argue that Trump’s actions post-election fall within the purview of the insurrection clause. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 to secure civil rights for formerly enslaved people, also aimed to prevent former Confederate officials from regaining power after rebelling against the government.

President Trump plans to appeal the decision and seek a stay to prevent the ruling from taking effect. His campaign issued a statement accusing Democratic leaders of attempting to undermine his lead in the polls and impeding the democratic process.

“Democrat Party leaders are in a state of paranoia over the growing, dominant lead President Trump has amassed in the polls,” the statement reads. “They have lost faith in the failed Biden presidency and are now doing everything they can to stop the American voters from throwing them out of office next November.”

The court directed Colorado’s Secretary of State to keep Trump’s name on the presidential primary ballot until the matter is decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The legal battle raises questions about the potential impact on the 2024 presidential race and whether the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately shape the contours of the election. Trump has faced similar legal challenges in other states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Oregon, invoking Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

As the legal drama unfolds, the ruling adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape and sets the stage for a potentially landmark decision that could reshape the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates in the United States.

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Texas Governor Abbott Endorses Trump’s 2024 Presidential Bid

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In a significant move at the heart of border security concerns, Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially endorsed Donald Trump’s bid for a return to the White House during a joint appearance at the Texas-Mexico border on Sunday.

Governor Abbott, a staunch advocate for border security, declared, “We need Donald J. Trump back as our president of the United States of America,” emphasizing Trump’s commitment to securing the border and restoring law and order. The endorsement comes as Trump positions himself as the front-runner for the Republican Party’s nomination in the 2024 presidential race.

Acknowledging Abbott’s efforts in fortifying the border under the Biden administration, Trump expressed gratitude for the endorsement, calling it a “tremendous honor” and assuring the governor, “I am going to make your job much easier. You’ll be able to focus on other things in Texas.”

The endorsement took place in a town approximately 30 miles from the Hidalgo Port of Entry crossing with Mexico, a symbolic location given the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding border security.

Earlier in the day, Trump and Abbott participated in a Thanksgiving event at the border, serving meals to Texas National Guard soldiers and troopers who are stationed there. Trump, alongside Abbott, distributed tacos, shook hands, and posed for pictures, expressing his appreciation for the work being done by those on the front lines of border security.

The border situation has remained a focal point for Republican voters and GOP leaders, who have consistently criticized President Biden’s administration for its handling of the crisis and the surge in migrant border crossings.

Trump, outlining his vision for addressing the border challenges, reiterated his commitment to launching the largest mass deportation effort in American history if re-elected. He also pledged to reinstate travel bans and revive his 2019 “Remain in Mexico” program, requiring non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for the resolution of their cases.

In 2021, Trump endorsed Abbott during the governor’s re-election bid, praising him as a conservative leader. Abbott secured a third term as governor in November 2022 after winning the renomination in March of that year and defeating Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke.

Abbott’s endorsement of Trump comes as the former president continues to lead the pack among Republicans seeking the 2024 presidential nomination. Trump is polling significantly ahead of other potential candidates, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, both nationally and in Texas. The endorsement further solidifies Trump’s standing within the party as the 2024 election season approaches.

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Ivanka Trump Testifies in Civil Fraud Trial

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In a high-stakes New York civil fraud trial that poses a significant threat to former President Donald Trump’s business empire, Ivanka Trump, the former president’s daughter, took the stand on Wednesday. She testified that she couldn’t recall specific details of real estate deals she worked on at her father’s company.

Ivanka Trump, alongside her brothers Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who testified last week, sought to distance herself from the controversial valuation practices that have already been deemed fraudulent by the court. This legal battle stems from allegations of inflating assets to secure favorable loans, which led to a judge finding Donald Trump and his two adult sons liable for fraud.

Initially, Ivanka Trump, 42, was a co-defendant in the case, but a favorable appeals court ruling this year spared her from that status. She had fought vigorously to avoid testifying, with Donald Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise, arguing in court that her testimony was merely another attempt to target one of President Trump’s children.

Kise also raised concerns about the relevance of evidence and lines of questioning regarding prospective financing terms that were never finalized. Additionally, he pointed out that much of the evidence brought forth was related to actions that occurred prior to 2014, potentially falling outside the statute of limitations.

The accusations against the former president, brought by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, center around a scheme allegedly involving the inflation and deflation of asset values to secure advantageous business, insurance, and banking deals between 2011 and 2021. Trump’s two older sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, are co-defendants in the lawsuit, and Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled Trump liable for fraud.

Ivanka Trump’s attorney successfully argued that any actions related to Ivanka at the Trump Organization happened before the statute of limitations came into play. However, both Donald Jr. and Eric Trump testified last week that the financial documents central to the case were not their responsibility, despite emails and other documents suggesting they may have been more involved than their testimony indicated.

The stakes are high in this trial, with Letitia James seeking $250 million in fines and pursuing restrictions that would prevent Trump and his adult sons from conducting business in New York.

In addition to this civil case, it’s worth noting that Trump is currently a defendant in four separate criminal cases, two of which stem from his efforts to overturn President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. The legal battles surrounding the Trump family continue to captivate public attention as they navigate a complex legal landscape.

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Donald Trump Trial 2023

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Former President Donald Trump took the stand in a New York court, becoming the first president to do so in over a century. This civil fraud trial poses a significant threat to his real estate empire, and it’s a legal battle that could result in a $250 million fine, a ban on Trump conducting business in his home state, and the loss of control over iconic properties like Trump Tower.

The trial has been anything but ordinary, with Trump repeatedly clashing with Judge Arthur Engoron. The judge even had to admonish Trump not to give speeches in court, stating, “control your client.” Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with the judge and his law clerk for weeks, making the courtroom atmosphere intense.

The crux of the case revolves around accusations that Trump significantly inflated the value of his properties by over $2 billion to secure favorable loans. This trial also includes allegations of falsified business records and insurance fraud. Trump and his adult sons have vehemently denied these claims.

One of the key moments in the trial is the focus on Trump’s Seven Springs property in Westchester, New York. Trump admitted to initially believing the property was overvalued in one financial statement but later directed accountants to lower its value. However, he downplayed the importance of these statements in court.

What makes this trial even more significant is that Trump is simultaneously a leading presidential candidate for the 2024 election. Despite his legal battles, recent polling has shown him with a clear lead over President Joe Biden in key battleground states. Trump has used his appearances in the civil trial to denounce the prosecution as a “witch hunt” and criticize the judge as a partisan.

Yet, inside the courtroom, Trump must take a more measured approach since there is no jury to appeal to. The outcome of this case rests solely in the hands of Judge Engoron.

The trial resumed after a short break, focusing on the valuations of Trump’s assets, particularly the Seven Springs property. Trump explained his initial concerns about the property’s valuation and how his company executed a conservation easement for tax benefits. He acknowledged that he couldn’t remember when the property’s value was lowered.

Trump confirmed that his organization pursued a conservation easement for tax benefits on Seven Springs, handled by tax attorney Sheri Dillon. He admitted that the $291 million valuation in his 2014 statement seemed high at the time.

Regarding the valuation of two Vornado properties, Trump expressed hope that the stated value of $816 million was based on accurate information. He also mentioned that he was not involved in his 2021 financial statements and believed that others, including former Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg and ex-Trump Org. executive Jeff McConney, handled that matter.

The Seven Springs property in Westchester, New York, is a central focus in this lawsuit, as it is one of the properties the Trumps are accused of inflating. As the trial unfolds, it remains to be seen how these testimonies and developments will impact the future of Trump’s real estate empire and his political aspirations.

Stay tuned for more updates.

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Trump vs DeSantis: GOP Clash

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Former President Donald Trump is making waves in the Sunshine State, Florida. As we gear up for a key party nomination debate in Miami next week, five Republican legislators from Florida have switched their endorsements from Governor Ron DeSantis to the ex-POTUS himself.

It’s all part of Trump’s strategy to expand his support in Florida and, in the process, overshadow Governor DeSantis’s presidential aspirations right in their shared home state. Recent days have seen Trump securing some significant endorsements, including those from U.S. Senator Rick Scott and state lawmaker Randy Fine, who was a long-time DeSantis ally.

But that’s not all – Trump has already garnered the backing of the majority of the state’s Republicans in Congress, and the word on the street is that more Florida Republicans might soon join the Trump train. The implications are clear: Trump’s dominance in the 2024 Republican race is undeniable, while DeSantis’s once highly anticipated White House bid appears to be hitting some rough waters.

DeSantis, known for enacting policies favored by conservatives and pushing Florida further to the right, now finds himself lagging behind in the 2024 race. He’s not just in a race for the nomination; he’s also up against a Trump campaign with a laser focus on embarrassing DeSantis both within his home state and on a national stage.

Florida has always been DeSantis’s stronghold, serving as the source of his campaign’s financial support and key talking points about his conservative governance. Many GOP members of the Florida Legislature had previously endorsed DeSantis. However, the recent endorsements switch is a significant blow to his campaign.

In the midst of this political clash, it’s worth noting that Trump is currently well ahead in national polls and early state support. He’s also eager to establish his dominance over DeSantis in a state they both call home, which could further erode the Florida Governor’s chances.

DeSantis’s once-impressive tally of 99 Florida legislator endorsements from his home state has dwindled to 93. Some lawmakers seem to be sticking with him to avoid potential vetoes of their bills or hometown spending projects. Meanwhile, the legislators who’ve switched to Team Trump, like State Congresswoman Jessica Baker, cite concerns over world instability and economic insecurity as reasons for their change in allegiance.

As the race unfolds and the primary season approaches, it’s clear that Florida will remain a battleground where these two GOP heavyweights battle it out for supremacy. Stay tuned for more updates on this political showdown!