It seems the Democrats’ 2024 game plan has hit a major snag courtesy of the Illinois Elections Board. In an 8-0 ruling, the board has decided to keep former President Donald J. Trump on the state’s primary ballot. This ruling comes just in time, with the U.S. Supreme Court set to hear arguments on whether Trump’s involvement in the January 6 Capitol breach disqualifies him from the presidency according to the 14th Amendment.
Despite findings by a retired judge and Republican hearing officer that there is a “preponderance of the evidence” suggesting Trump is ineligible to run for president due to a constitutional ban on those who have “engaged in insurrection,” the board has deferred the ultimate decision to the courts.
Republican Judge Clark Erickson advised the board to reject the complaint against Trump raised by voters. He cited that according to Illinois Supreme Court precedent, the Elections Board is barred from performing the “significant and sophisticated constitutional analysis” required for a decision. Erickson added that if the board held a different view on the matter of jurisdiction, they should then remove Trump from the primary ballot. You’ve got to love the fine print, right?
Now, this isn’t just about The Donald. The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment could set a precedent for future cases involving allegations of insurrection or rebellion against the United States. Talk about a Pandora’s box!
Interestingly, this comes at a time when Trump maintains a significant lead among Republicans, even as his eligibility is still pending in over 15 states. It seems like the plot thickens with each passing day.
On one side, we have the Democrats trying to block Trump’s candidacy, and on the other, we have a Republican lead that’s not so easy to shake. So what’s it going to be, America? Are we in for another round of the Trump show, or is it time to change the channel? As the court is set to hear oral arguments on February 8 concerning the appeal from Colorado, all we can do is wait and see.