The upcoming 2024 presidential election has prompted many legal battles surrounding the eligibility of former President Donald Trump to appear on primary ballots across the United States. The controversy initially began when Maine and Colorado attempted to remove Trump from the primary ballot because they claimed that the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol was an act of insurrection by Donald Trump. Trump has challenged both states, as he said to Fox News, “for people that say they are trying to protect democracy, this is hands down the most anti-democratic opinion I’ve seen in my lifetime.” Moreover, Trump went on an abusive rant on his social media calling people out for not having basic democracy.
However, Oregon’s top court rejected to remove Trump from the ballot, and other states like California, Michigan, and Minnesota have followed. In California, the election officials have limited power to remove candidates, making sure that Trump remains on the ballot. This decision sparked challenges in 30 states, with 19 of them having legal cases. There are lawsuits and formal complaints that election officials have to hear, reflecting the intensity of the debate.
Even though Trump has decided to come back and run in the presidential election, not everyone is thrilled about it. When Trump first sat on the big chair in 2017, he used his own power for his own benefit. According to the Civil Rights Organization, back when Trump had got elected, he promised to clean up all the “crimes and drugs and gangs.” But, as it turns out, many think that he didn’t deliver it on promise. Amidst of these legal battles, it’s important to examine Trump’s new policies and everyone’s stance on the matter. Overall, Trump’s promises have lead America to go nowhere, and it is evident that if he is re-elected, America will become one of the worst countries on the map.
Trump’s heartless approach to his harsh tax policies on states that don’t vote for him, immigration, diversion of public funds to properties owned by him and his family, his self-defeating approach to trade, and his opinion towards traditional allies, all contribute to him not being an appropriate candidate for the 2024 election. It’s important to consider all the people Trump has hurt, and the lives he has impacted. Removing him off the ballot is a smart decision made by many states.
While many people are getting ready for the presidential race, it became evident that many people aren’t on board with Trump’s decision to make a comeback. Adding another layer to the debate is the precedent of removing candidates. The question arises; should election officials have the power to remove candidates off the ballot? The current legal system highlights the necessity to establish guidelines on candidate eligibility. This precedent would shape how future elections handle controversial figures and navigate the balance between inclusion and democratic values.
Now, as the legal drama plays out as the whole country watches, the debate about Trump being on the ballot is swirling up into an intense debate. It’s basically a test for democracy-can it handle letting everyone in, even someone who caused serious trouble on January 6th? The fight between those saying everyone deserves a fair chance and should keep Trump on the ballot is making people question their democracy. The results of these battles are going to stick with us for a long time, which is why we need to be careful to shape how not only America, but other countries, view the United States in politics.
