Outrage as California Lt Gov Eleni Kounalakis calls to ‘explore every legal option’ to remove Donald Trump from 2024 ballot

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: A wave of outrage erupted online as California Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis called on her state’s Secretary of State 'to explore every legal option' to block Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s ballots in 2024.

On Wednesday, December 20, Kounalakis sent a letter to Secretary of State Shirley Weber citing a recent Colorado court decision that declared Trump ineligible to run for president on the state's ballot due to his role in 'inciting an insurrection' on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

In the letter, Kounalakis refuted claims that she was engaging in 'political gamesmanship', stating instead that it was a 'dire matter that puts at stake the sanctity of our constitution and our democracy'.

"This decision is about honoring the rule of law in our country and protecting the fundamental pillars of our democracy," the letter said, adding "Specifically, the Colorado Supreme Court held in Anderson v. Griswold (2023 CO 63) that Trump’s insurrection disqualifies him under section three of the Fourteenth Amendment to stand for presidential re-election.”

“Because the candidate is ineligible, the court ruled, it would be a ‘wrongful act’ for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on that state’s presidential primary ballot,” it continued according to Fox News.

Why does Eleni Kounalakis want to remove Trump from ballot?

The candidate running for California Governor told the Secretary of State that California "must stand on the right side of history" and that it is "obligated to determine" whether the former president is not qualified to run for office for the identical reasons that Colorado rejected his candidacy.

Kounalakis said Colorado’s decision could be the basis for California’s decision. "The constitution is clear: you must be 35 years old and not be an insurrectionist," Kounalakis wrote, though in an earlier version of the letter she said, "you must be 40 years old…"

In the letter, she referenced the gravity of the decision, saying “There will be the inevitable political punditry about a decision to remove Trump from the ballot, but this is not an issue of political gamesmanship.”

The list of authorized candidates is expected next week, as the California primary has been scheduled for March 5, 2024.

The state is overwhelmingly Democratic, with nearly 47% of voters registered as Democrats and only 24% registered as Republicans, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Internet reacts to Eleni Kounalaki’s calls

Kounalaki’s letter has garnered immense social media attention, with users slamming him for calling her state’s Secretary of State 'to explore every legal option' to block Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s ballots in 2024.

“Another attack on democracy. Shocking,” one user slammed. “"Explore every legal option" So they already have the conclusion they want, they just need to arrive at it,” the second user blasted.

“Most people can see that our government is not representing us at this point…” the third user attacked while the fourth one wrote “I don't think these people understand what a democracy is. It's getting pathetic.”

“its almost sad really, the only ways they can win is to cheat or deny someone... or buy votes. This is not the same democratic party from 30 years ago,” the fifth user stated.

“Turning point has been passed. No return to normal,” one more wrote.