Michigan Supreme Court rejects Trump’s lawsuit of banning him on 2024 election ballot

The Michigan Supreme Court has rejected an attempt to remove the former President Donald Trump from the 2024 primary ballot based on the U.S. Constitution’s “insurrectionist ban.”

The expected outcome serves as a victory for the former president, though an effort to remove him could be renewed for general election. The verdict on Wednesday contradicts with Colorado Supreme Court ruling, which banned Trump off its primary ballot because of his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. The decision has been paused pending an appeal.

With Michigan’s ruling, the expected appeal in the Supreme Court will make it more critical, especially as the nation races toward the start of the 2024 primaries. Unlike Colorado, the lawsuit in Michigan never reached trial and was dismissed early on its process.

The Michigan Court of Claims judge who first got the case said state law doesn’t give election officials any leeway to police the eligibility of presidential primary candidates. He also noted that the case raised a political question that shouldn’t be decided in the courts.