Michigan Supreme Court declines to remove Trump from primary ballot

The liberal organization Free Speech For People had appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential primary ballot. The court refused to hear the appeal, keeping in place a lower court’s decision to allow Trump on the ballot. Michigan’s decision comes on the heels of a Colorado court removing Trump from the primary ballot earlier in December. On Wednesday, the Colorado Republican Party appealed that ruling. About 30 other states have seen efforts to remove Trump from the ballot, many of which have already been struck down.

What argument is being made to remove Trump? Free Speech For People argued that Trump is not eligible to serve as president for his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol. Section 3 under the Constitution’s 14th Amendment bars anyone from holding a civil or military office who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the United States. However, Congress may remove the clause from applying to someone with a two-thirds vote of approval in each chamber.

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