Should Voters or Courts Decide To Remove Presidential Candidates From Ballots?

Kinzinger: Efforts to Exclude Trump from Ballots Could Backfire

Adam Kinzinger, the former Republican representative from Illinois, shared his perspective on Friday about the ongoing efforts in Maine and Colorado to disqualify former President Trump from primary ballots. He suggested that these actions might inadvertently play into Trump’s hands.

Kinzinger, speaking on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront,” described Trump as someone who thrives on portraying himself as a victim. He indicated that the attempts to remove Trump from the ballots could reinforce this narrative, potentially benefiting Trump politically.

The Maine Secretary of State recently decided to exclude Trump from the primary ballot, citing his involvement in the events of January 6 and a violation of the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause. Kinzinger, a critic of Trump, also criticized other Republican presidential candidates who opposed this decision. He argued that even those who are against Trump might weaken their political standing by supporting such legal maneuvers to sideline him.

Kinzinger’s comments came in a week when various candidates, including some moderate Democrats, expressed their disapproval of the Maine decision. They argued that Trump should remain an option for voters.

Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to consider a similar case from Colorado, following a recent decision by the state’s Supreme Court. This upcoming deliberation could set a precedent for how such electoral disputes are handled in the future.