Trump is deprived of right to participate in presidential election in Illinois
Donald Trump (Getty Images)
A court has barred Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot for the Republican presidential primaries in Illinois due to his role in the Capitol Hill insurrection on January 6, 2021. However, the enforcement of the decision has been postponed pending expected challenges from the former U.S. President, according to Reuters.
This ruling was made by Cook County Circuit Judge Tracy Porter, who sided with Illinois voters claiming that the former president should be excluded from the list of candidates in the March 19 primary and the general elections on November 5 for violating the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits rebellion.
The final outcome of the case in Illinois and similar disputes will likely be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard arguments related to Trump's right to participate in elections on February 8.
Porter said that she would defer her decision as she awaits his appeal to the Illinois appellate courts and a possible ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Previously, Colorado and Maine excluded Trump from their state ballots, determining that he could not be elected under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Both decisions are on hold pending Trump's appeal.
Section 3 prohibits holding state offices for those who swore to support the U.S. Constitution and then "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."
Currently, the Supreme Court is reviewing Trump's challenge to his disqualification in Colorado. Judges in Washington expressed skepticism about this decision during oral arguments, expressing concern that states could take drastic actions that could affect national elections.
The U.S. presidential elections
The presidential elections in the United States are scheduled for November 5, 2024. According to forecasts, the main Democratic candidate will be the incumbent American leader, Joe Biden. Among the Republicans, apart from Donald Trump, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley is favored.
For more on the key themes of the U.S. elections, please refer to RBC-Ukraine's coverage.
