'He wasn't found guilty': Internet rallies behind Donald Trump after Illinois judge removes him from state ballot citing 'insurrectionist ban'

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS: Donald Trump was removed from the Illinois primary ballot by a Cook County judge on Wednesday, February 28. However, the judge's ruling was delayed until Friday to allow for an appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Judge Tracie Porter ruled that the Illinois State Board of Elections erred in its decision to reject a petition signed by five Illinois voters who disapproved of Trump's candidacy.

The objectors argued that Trump was ineligible under the 14th Amendment because of his conduct related to the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, which they described as a "insurrection."

Judge Tracie Porter removes Donald Trump from Illinois state ballot

Caryn Lederer, lead attorney for the objectors, said in a statement on Wednesday, "Judge Porter’s reasoned decision contributes to the growing consensus of courts recognizing and condemning Trump’s decisive role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The decision recognizes the importance of the rule of law and upholding the mandate of the US Constitution."

In a statement, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said that the ruling was "unconstitutional" and that the campaign will fight it.

Cheung said, "Today, an activist Democrat judge in Illinois summarily overruled the state's board of elections and contradicted earlier decisions from dozens of other state and federal jurisdictions."

The ruling is made concurrently with the US Supreme Court considering a comparable challenge to Trump's Colorado candidacies. On February 8, the top court heard oral arguments in that case; a ruling has not yet been made.

An administrative hearing officer in Illinois initially heard the objection and suggested that the matter be dropped. Retired Republican judge Clark Erickson stated that although Trump's conduct during the attack on the Capitol on January 6 probably amounted to an insurrection, the Board of Elections had no jurisdiction over such matters.

The Board of Elections concurred and decided to reject the objection on January 30 by a unanimous vote. The board further stated that the objectors had not demonstrated that Trump had intentionally misled in his Illinois declaration of candidacy when he claimed to be legally eligible to be president.

Porter overturned that ruling in her order on Wednesday, pointing out that Trump submitted his declaration of candidacy on January 4, 2024, almost a week after the Colorado Supreme Court declared that Trump had participated in an uprising and was, thus, unable to run for office in Colorado.

Internet sides with Donald Trump after Illinois judge removes him from state ballot

Many internet users came out in support of Trumo after an Illinois judge removed the former President from the state ballot. A user on X wrote, "When was Trump ever convicted or found guilty of insurrection?" 

One user added, "Should someone tell Illinois that Trump has not been charged and/or convicted of any insurrections?"

Another user commented, "This will not go as planned. There is a massive party switch affiliation (D to R) in Illinois. Minorities are tired of illegal felons"

while one added, "States can’t modify federal elections. None of these attempts will work, and if they do, they’re manipulating this election incredibly. Don’t these jusdges even consider the consequences of what their decision would entail. Politics aside, if this decision is affirmed, any state could make a claim of a candidate and remove them from the ballot in the future. All for 'saving democracy too'"

A person also wrote, "I would be looking at moving out of any state that even tries to do this. They will be the first to fall…"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.