SANTA FE, N.M. – Former President Donald Trump will remain on the ballot in New Mexico after a lawsuit seeking to remove him was dismissed. The lawsuit, which invoked the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, alleged that Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection rendered him ineligible for reelection. However, U.S. District Judge Matthew Garcia ruled that there was insufficient evidence to show that the plaintiff, John Anthony Castro of Texas, was a legitimate political competitor to Trump.
The 14th Amendment stipulates that individuals who have taken an oath of office in the U.S. and then engaged in rebellion or insurrection against the Constitution cannot hold office. This amendment was added during the reconstruction process following the Civil War.
Similar lawsuits targeting Trump under the 14th Amendment have been filed in other states, but many of them have already been dismissed. The lawsuit in New Mexico, filed by Castro, was dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning that he has the option to refile the case.
Castro intends to appeal the dismissal of the lawsuit. He has also filed similar lawsuits in other states. However, Castro is currently facing accusations of preparing false tax returns, according to recent reports.
The ruling in New Mexico reinforces the precedent set by other dismissals of lawsuits seeking to bar Trump from running for reelection based on his involvement in the January 6th insurrection. The decision to allow Trump to remain on the ballot highlights the challenges faced by those seeking to disqualify a candidate under the 14th Amendment.
Despite the dismissal, the issue of Trump’s eligibility continues to generate debate and legal action. The dismissal in New Mexico does not definitively settle the question, as Castro has the option to refile the lawsuit. However, it remains to be seen whether any future challenges will gain traction or impact the outcome of the election.
In summary, a lawsuit attempting to remove former President Donald Trump from the ballot in New Mexico based on his alleged involvement in the January 6th insurrection has been dismissed. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Garcia cited a lack of evidence showing the plaintiff’s status as a legitimate political competitor. Similar lawsuits filed in other states have also been dismissed. The decision highlights the ongoing debate surrounding Trump’s eligibility and the challenges faced by those seeking to disqualify a candidate based on the 14th Amendment. Castro, the plaintiff, has the option to appeal the dismissal and refile the lawsuit.