We have an update regarding former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to run for president. Just recently, Illinois has joined Colorado and Maine in ruling against his eligibility, further adding to the ongoing debate. Many might be quick to dismiss this news considering the Supreme Court’s indication to keep Trump on the ballot nationwide. However, this latest action does highlight some important points.
It reminds us that the legal decisions that have actually examined the issue, rather than being dismissed on procedural grounds, have all gone against Trump. In Illinois, the judge took note of the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling and found the rationale behind disqualifying Trump to be “compelling.” Although the Illinois ruling is currently on hold pending the former president’s state court appeal, it could still be impacted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s forthcoming ruling in the Colorado case, known as Trump v. Anderson.
This brings us to the pending Supreme Court ruling itself. The justices expedited the review and heard arguments on February 8th. While there isn’t a strict deadline for the court to issue a ruling, it was expected that a decision would be made by Super Tuesday next week. However, since the arguments, we haven’t heard any updates from the high court, leaving us uncertain about when we can expect a ruling.
During the hearing, the justices expressed discomfort in applying the 14th Amendment’s insurrectionist ban to the former president. If the state rulings against Trump are temporarily paused pending the high court’s decision and the justices are ultimately going to side with him, it’s possible that they see less urgency to issue a ruling. However, it’s also plausible that the court is facing challenges in transforming their discomfort into a coherent legal opinion.
The recent Illinois decision serves as a powerful example of the legal precedent that the justices would be disregarding if they were to allow the insurrectionist candidate to take office again. It adds weight to the notion that the justices may be struggling to find a way to justify their decision to keep Trump on the ballot.
Illinois has become the latest state to rule against Donald Trump’s eligibility to run for president, joining Colorado and Maine. However, the final decision ultimately rests with the U.S. Supreme Court, which has yet to issue a ruling in the Trump v. Anderson case. Whether the court’s delay is due to difficulties in formulating a legal opinion or other factors, we can only wait and see. This ongoing legal battle has significant implications for the future of American politics, and we will continue to keep you updated on Fan Reviews News.
