Internet divided as Trump appeals Maine ruling that he's ineligible for 2024 primary ballot

KENNEBEC, MAINE: Former President Donald Trump has filed an appeal against the Maine secretary of state's ruling that he is ineligible to run for president due to his involvement in an insurrection.

The GOP front-runner’s legal team filed the appeal in Kennebec Superior Court on Tuesday, January 02, writing “[T]he Secretary’s Ruling was the product of a process infected by bias and pervasive lack of due process; is arbitrary, capricious, and characterized by abuse of discretion.”

Under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows of Maine declared last week that the former president is constitutionally barred from contesting the state's primary ballot because of his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

However, Trump's legal team said in their filing that Bellows, a Democratic former state senator, lacks the jurisdiction to implement Section 3 and it does not apply to the real estate mogul.

They also say she should have recused herself, arguing she is too partisan to weigh the case fairly. Bellows has not yet removed Trump from the ballot, pausing her decision until the courts weigh in.

Trump's legal team requested that the court ensure their client continues to appear on the ballot in Maine's Republican primary, which is set for March 5, according to NBC News.

Why did Bellows disqualify Trump from the state ballot?

Bellows stated in her 34-page ruling from last month that she declared Trump ineligible for the presidential run due to his actions surrounding the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

“The weight of the evidence makes clear that Mr. Trump was aware of the tinder laid by his multi-month effort to delegitimize a democratic election, and then chose to light a match,” she wrote.

She then continued by adding that the former President “used a false narrative of election fraud to inflame his supporters and direct them to the Capitol to prevent certification of the 2020 election and the peaceful transfer of power.”

in an interview with NBC News, Bellows stated that although she thought Maine law obliged her to act immediately, she preferred to wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the 14th Amendment-related issue.

“The country would be well served if the United States Supreme Court issues clear guidance on this unprecedented constitutional question for all to follow,” she said.

Bellows’ decision came after the Colorado supreme court ruled that Trump would not appear on the state's primary ballot, according to a 155-year-old 14th Amendment clause that bans those from office who 'engaged in insurrection.'

Internet reacts to Trump’s appeal

The news of Trump’s appeal has garnered immense social media attention, with one user saying “Let the voters decide.”

“As he should! One random person in one random state cannot stop all Americans from being able to vote for whomever we choose!” a second user-supported Trump.

However, the third user opposed the appeal, writing “Trump Engaged In An Insurrection. So Yeah Trump's Name Should Not Be On The Ballot.”

“Court should prevail, Justice,” the fourth user asserted while the fifth one said “Only a goose stepper would support the removal of a political opponent. 🤷🏼‍♂️”