The Michigan Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal from voters seeking to disqualify Donald Trump from the state’s Republican primary ballot scheduled for February 27.
The court’s decision marks a victory for the former president in his battle against challenges to his eligibility.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Four voters had argued that Trump, a frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, should be barred based on a constitutional provision preventing individuals engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” from holding office.
However, the Michigan justices asserted that the court should not intervene in primary election issues.
This decision sharply contrasts with Colorado’s top court, which disqualified Trump under the same constitutional provision.
Trump intends to appeal the Colorado ruling to the US Supreme Court.
Despite facing indictments in federal and Georgia cases related to the 2020 election, Trump has not been charged with insurrection in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
A potential ruling by the US Supreme Court could have broader implications for Trump’s eligibility in the 2024 presidential race.
Trump celebrated the Michigan decision on his Truth Social site, labelling it a “desperate Democrat attempt” to remove him from the ballot.
While barred from Colorado’s primary ballot, the legal battle continues, with the possibility of revisiting the case for the November 2024 general election.
The Michigan Supreme Court did not delve into the merits of whether Trump engaged in insurrection, maintaining the focus on primary election procedural matters.
This legal saga adds complexity to the unfolding landscape, especially considering Michigan’s significance as a key swing state in the general election.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on Listnr today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.