LAS VEGAS, Nevada — A federal judge in Nevada dismissed a ballot eligibility challenge against former President Trump on Tuesday. The challenge was brought by long-shot GOP presidential candidate John Anthony Castro, who was deemed to lack proper standing by Judge Gloria Navarro. According to Navarro, Castro filed to run for president solely to manufacture legal standing, which was deemed improper by the court. Navarro referenced an October article by The Associated Press in which Castro admitted that his candidacy was not a serious pursuit but rather an attempt to enforce the United States Constitution.
Furthermore, Castro’s challenge only applied to the state’s primary, while Trump is running in the state GOP’s rival caucus. This led to Navarro’s decision to dismiss the case. Castro has filed similar 14th Amendment claims against Trump in other states, with cases in New Hampshire and Florida already dismissed. The judge did not rule on the merits of the challenge.
Trump is facing numerous 14th Amendment challenges across the country, some of which have found success. A Colorado case involving Trump’s actions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riots will be heard by the Supreme Court. The Colorado Supreme Court recently found that Trump’s actions violated the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection clause,” which prohibits those who have assisted rebellion from holding office. Trump and his attorneys have denounced these attempts as political meddling and argue that the 14th Amendment clause does not apply to the presidency.
The Trump campaign celebrated the dismissal of the Nevada suit, stating that it was “a victory for President Trump and all Americans.” They deemed the suit as “bogus” and “bad-faith.” With this ruling, the challenge against Trump’s ballot eligibility in Nevada comes to an end.
In conclusion, a federal judge in Nevada dismissed the ballot eligibility challenge against former President Trump brought by John Anthony Castro. The judge ruled that Castro lacked proper standing as he had filed for president solely to create legal standing. However, the judge did not rule on the merits of the challenge. Trump continues to face multiple 14th Amendment challenges across the country, with some cases finding success. The dismissal of the Nevada suit is considered a victory by the Trump campaign.