San Francisco, California – Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, commented on Sunday that the question of former President Trump’s eligibility to run for office depends on individual state laws. During an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News’ “This Week,” Pelosi discussed her belief that Trump engaged in an insurrection but emphasized that the decision on his eligibility ultimately rests with each state.
Pelosi referenced Article 14 Section 3 of the Constitution, which includes the insurrection clause, stating that there is a view that Trump should not be able to run for president. However, she reiterated that different states have different laws and that California does not believe this clause applies to them.
Pelosi’s remarks followed recent decisions by Colorado and Maine to remove Trump from their 2024 state primary ballots. The Colorado Supreme Court and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled that Trump’s role in the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, constituted an insurrection and made him ineligible to run for president.
Regarding Trump’s alleged incitement of the insurrection, Pelosi stated that she believes he participated in it. She also shared an account of how she and other congressional leaders urged Trump to request assistance from the National Guard to quell the riots that took place at the Capitol.
Trump has since appealed the rulings in both Colorado and Maine. Legal experts have speculated on how the U.S. Supreme Court, with its conservative majority, could rule on these cases. Trump’s concerns about the justices potentially ruling against him were confirmed by his attorney, Alina Habba.
In conclusion, the decision on Trump’s eligibility to run for president lies with individual states, according to Nancy Pelosi. Recent rulings in Colorado and Maine have deemed him ineligible under the Constitution’s insurrection clause. Trump’s appeals are currently under consideration, and the potential outcomes will have significant consequences for his future political endeavors.