Late Wednesday, an Illinois judge ruled that former President Donald Trump has been excluded from the state’s 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot due to his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter’s ruling came a month after the Illinois State Board of Elections dismissed an anti-Trump challenge.
According to court documents obtained by Fox News, Porter’s order on Wednesday instructed the board to remove Trump or “suppress any votes cast for him” for violating the 14th Amendment’s section three, also known as the “disqualification clause,” for participating in insurrection.
Porter’s decision overturned the Illinois Board of Elections’ previous ruling to keep Trump’s name on the primary ballot after a group of Illinois voters accused him of engaging in insurrection.
However, the order is on hold until Friday, pending a potential appeal from Trump’s attorneys to either the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, or the Illinois Supreme Court.
A campaign spokesperson for Trump stated to Reuters that the ruling is “unconstitutional” and will be swiftly appealed.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the interpretation and application of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits individuals who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office again.
The 14th Amendment, Section 3 of the Constitution, reads, “No person shall… hold any office… under the United States… who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States… to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
Trump has not faced charges for inciting an insurrection.
Nancy Pelosi expressed her thoughts on the ruling by posting on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The Supreme Court is placing itself on trial with its decision to hear the former president’s total immunity claim. It remains to be seen whether the justices will uphold the fundamental American value that no one is above the law – not even a former president,” Pelosi wrote.
The Associated Press reports that the court will reach a decision by the end of June regarding whether Trump can face prosecution for election interference.
Illinois marks the third state where Trump has been excluded from the ballot, following Colorado and Maine. However, the decisions in Colorado and Maine are currently on hold while the Colorado case is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The primary election is scheduled for March 19th.
