Maine's top election official could face an impeachment attempt in the state Legislature over her decision to keep former President Donald Trump off the primary ballot.

Maine’s top election official could face an impeachment attempt in the state Legislature over her decision to keep former President Donald Trump off the Republican primary ballot.

At least one Republican lawmaker has vowed to pursue impeachment against Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows despite long odds in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Bellows said Friday that she had no comment on the impeachment effort, but said she was duty-bound by state law to make a determination on three challenges brought by registered Maine voters. She reiterated that she suspended her decision pending an anticipated appeal by Trump in Superior Court.

“Under Maine law, I have not only the authority but the obligation to act,” she said. “I will follow the Constitution and the rule of law as directed by the courts,” she added.

  • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    616·
    1 year ago

    they should not be allowed back in power

    The law isn’t about should in that sense of the word. If Satan, the Devil, was running for President, whether or not he was legally eligible to do so would be an entirely separate question from whether or not people should vote for him. The article I linked to argues that

    According to longstanding congressional precedent and legal authority, the phrase “civil office under the United States” did not include the office of president of the United States.

    That might plausibly be true no matter how bad Trump is.

    • TrickDacy@lemmy.world
      72·
      1 year ago

      Playing devil’s advocate doesn’t actually mean you need to defend both the literal devil that exists and also the mythological one. It’s an expression. No need to take it so literally.