The former president and current leading GOP candidate has just landed a significant legal victory in Wyoming, potentially smoothing his path back to the White House.
Green Light for Trump
In Wyoming, a judge has dismissed a motion to exclude Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential ballot based on claims that he’s constitutionally ineligible for a second term in the White House under the 14th Amendment.
Failed Attempt to Block Trump
This Thursday, Judge Misha Westby of the Albany County District Court declared the case “dismissed without prejudice,” signifying a failed effort to remove the GOP front-runner from the ballot in the Cowboy State.
“Congratulations”
Reacting to the ruling, conservative lawyer Harmeet Dhillon posted on X, saying, “Not again! Yes again…Wyoming federal judge threw yet another 14th amendment challenge out on its ear today. Bye! Congratulations, and thanks to my @dhillonlaw colleagues and our local counsel for riding this one out of town on a rail.”
“Happy with the Dismissal”
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray expressed satisfaction with Judge Westby’s ruling. In a news release quoted by The Sheridan Press, Gray stated, “I have been working to make sure that Donald Trump will be able to be on the ballot, and I am happy our motion to dismiss this lawsuit was granted,
Commitment to Election “Integrity”
Chuck Gray, on his X account, further wrote, “I’m pleased to announce that our motion to dismiss the lawsuit Newcomb v. Chuck Gray has been granted by Judge Westby.”
He added, “I will continue to fight against this nationwide effort in order to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that the people of Wyoming can choose who to elect for themselves.”
Rocky Road
Despite being a frontrunner in the polls for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump has been kicked off from primary ballots in Colorado and Maine under the 14th Amendment.
His legal team is currently appealing these decisions to the Supreme Court.
Oath & Insurrection
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states that any official who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution but then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof” is barred from holding office.
Facts First
In her ruling, Judge Westby noted that making a decision at this point would be speculative and imprecise, potentially leading to more controversies. She pointed out the necessity for concrete facts over abstract legal reasoning in such arguments, as the Cowboy State Daily reported.
Nationwide Efforts to Remove Trump
The lawsuit that Judge Westby ruled on, initiated by retired Laramie attorney Tim Newcomb, mirrors efforts in 34 states aimed at removing Trump from ballots. Only Maine and Colorado have seen successful outcomes, and both are being appealed.
Supreme Court’s “Flawed” Ruling
The former president has escalated the Colorado ballot case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, criticized the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling as “completely flawed,” announcing on Dec. 19 an immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and a request for a stay on the decision.
The appeal includes expected claims and argues that the requirement for Trump to prove he is not disqualified imposes an extra-constitutional condition on candidacy.
Ballot Decision Faces Supreme Court
Shenna Bellows, the Secretary of State for Maine and a Democrat, allegedly took a solo decision in December to exclude Trump from Maine’s 2024 ballot. This decision, too, has been challenged by the Trump campaign at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ending “UnAmerican Lawsuits”
Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, expressed strong belief in a favorable Supreme Court ruling, aiming to terminate what he calls “unAmerican lawsuits.” Meanwhile, Michigan and Minnesota have dismissed attempts to remove Trump from their respective ballots.
A Historic Moment
Should the Supreme Court uphold any of the rulings against Trump’s ballot inclusion, it would dramatically alter the landscape of the Republican presidential primary, marking an unprecedented event in modern American political history.
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