In an 80-minute oral argument about whether former President Donald Trump should be removed from Minnesota’s ballot for the 2024 presidential election, the state’s top judges expressed doubt about the jurisdiction of state courts in resolving this issue.
Chief Justice Natalie Hudson questioned the necessity of taking action, even if it were within the court’s power to do so.
Some experts in constitutional law argue that Trump cannot hold public office due to his involvement in the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits individuals who have participated in an insurrection or rebellion from holding office.
Supporters of this idea have initiated a series of lawsuits in different states to prevent Trump from appearing on election ballots next year.
A trial began in Colorado this week while a judge in New Hampshire threw out an effort to disqualify Trump.
On Thursday, the issue of Trump’s ability to run for office was discussed in St. Paul, marking the first time it has been brought before a state supreme court.
Some members of the court questioned the sense in making a decision on whether Trump can run again, suggesting it may be a “political question” that courts normally avoid.
If different states reach conflicting rulings on the matter, there could be chaos with Trump’s name appearing on some ballots and not on others.
To avoid this, it was suggested by one lawyer that the U.S. Supreme Court must intervene, although no case is currently before the justices.
This case was brought to the court by Free Speech for People, a nonprofit representing state voters.
