OLYMPIA, Wash. — A judge has ruled that Donald Trump can remain on Washington state’s Republican presidential primary ballot, despite efforts to disqualify him based on his actions to reverse his 2020 election loss.
The challenge to Trump’s eligibility was filed by voters who argued that his fiery speech before a mob of supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, made him ineligible to run for the presidency. However, the judge ruled in favor of Trump, allowing him to remain on the ballot.
Trump’s lawyers have filed a brief with the Supreme Court urging it to reverse a decision in Colorado that removed him from the ballot. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Trump’s appeal of the Colorado ruling in February, in a case that will likely determine whether other challenges can proceed.
While Trump faces four criminal cases, including for his attempts to overturn the election, he has not been charged with insurrection.
Judge Mary Sue Wilson in Thurston County, the home of Washington’s capital Olympia, found on Thursday that the secretary of state had “acted consistent with his duties” by accepting the candidates, including Trump, submitted by the Republican and Democratic parties.
Third-party group asks Justice Department to probe Democrats
No Labels, a group preparing a potential third-party presidential bid, has asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate Democratic-leaning groups and activists working to thwart those efforts. The group has already raised more than $60 million and has qualified in 14 states, including swing states Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina.
Democrats fear a centrist third-party bid would splinter their party while Trump’s loyal base sticks with him.
No Labels identified Democratic-aligned groups including American Bridge, Third Way and MoveOn as part of the alleged conspiracy.
Haley, Trump skip debate stage in favor of cable TV
Trump has skipped all five Republican presidential debates thus far. Now Nikki Haley is taking a page from Trump’s playbook, skipping what was to be the sixth debate on Thursday night in favor of a CNN town hall. She announced she would no longer debate unless Trump participated.
Trump, meanwhile, will sit down for a friendly interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took part in his own CNN town hall on Tuesday, where he attacked Haley and Trump for refusing to debate him.
Haley’s decision was aimed at marginalizing DeSantis ahead of Tuesday’s primary election in New Hampshire, where polls show Haley all alone behind Trump in second place. DeSantis barely registers at around 5% in New Hampshire and has turned his focus to more conservative South Carolina — Haley’s home state — which will hold its primary on Feb. 24.
Agree
Good punctuation and grammar: It is important for the Justice Department to thoroughly investigate any concerns raised about Democrats, ensuring a fair electoral process. Trump’s presence on the Washington state ballot should not be compromised.