Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, blocks Donald Trump from the state’s Republican presidential primary ballot, citing his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault.
The ruling invokes the 14th Amendment, preventing individuals engaged in insurrection from holding office. Maine follows Colorado in disqualifying Trump, both decisions likely to face challenges in the US Supreme Court.
Trump’s campaign condemns the ruling, labeling it an “attempted theft of an election.” Fellow Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, defend Trump, warning of potential precedents. The decision comes amid Trump’s frontrunner status for the Republican nomination, with the Maine and Colorado primaries scheduled for Super Tuesday on March 5.
