An Illinois state judge on Wednesday prohibited Donald Trump from featuring on the Illinois’ Republican presidential primary ballot due to his involvement in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Nonetheless, she postponed the enforcement of her ruling pending an expected appeal by the former U.S. president.
Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter sided with Illinois voters who contended that the former president ought to be ineligible for the state’s March 19 primary ballot and its Nov. 5 general election ballot for breaching the anti-insurrection provision of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
The ultimate resolution of the Illinois case and similar challenges is likely to rest with the U.S. Supreme Court, which entertained arguments pertaining to Trump’s ballot eligibility on Feb. 8.
Porter indicated that she was delaying her decision as she anticipated his appeal to Illinois’ appellate courts and a potential ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.
The advocacy group Free Speech For People, which led the disqualification campaign in Illinois, hailed the ruling as a “historic victory” in a statement.
A campaign spokesperson for Trump, the national frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, remarked in a statement that “this is an unconstitutional ruling that we will promptly appeal.”
Colorado and Maine previously excluded Trump from their state ballots after determining that he is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
Both determinations are on hold while Trump lodges appeals.
Section 3 prohibits individuals who pledged to uphold the U.S. Constitution and subsequently “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or provided aid or comfort to the enemies thereof” from holding public office.
On Jan. 6, 2021, Trump supporters attacked police and stormed the Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Trump delivered an inflammatory speech to supporters beforehand, instructing them to proceed to the Capitol and “fight like hell.”
He then refrained from acting for hours despite requests to urge the mob to desist.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating Trump’s challenge to his disqualification in Colorado.
The justices in Washington appeared doubtful of the decision during oral arguments in the case, expressing apprehensions about states taking broad actions that could impact the national election.