Illinois judge bars Donald Trump from state ballot in fresh ruling

A judge in Illinois, United States, on Wednesday, barred Donald Trump from appearing on the state's Republican presidential primary ballot because of his role in the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter sided with Illinois voters who argued that the former president should be disqualified from the state's March 19 primary ballot and its November 5 general election ballot for violating the anti-insurrection clause of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment, according to CBS News.

However, Porter delayed her ruling due to an expected Trump appeal.

The outcome of the Illinois case and similar challenges is expected to be decided by the US Supreme Court, which heard arguments related to Trump's ballot eligibility on February 8.

Porter said she was staying her decision because she expected his appeal to Illinois' appellate courts and a potential ruling from the US Supreme Court.

The advocacy group Free Speech For People, which spearheaded the Illinois disqualification effort, released a statement praising the ruling as a "historic victory".

A campaign spokesperson for the 77-year-old national frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination stated that this is "an unconstitutional ruling that we will quickly appeal".

Earlier, Colorado and Maine removed Trump from their state ballots after determining he is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. 

Both decisions are on hold while Trump appeals.

Section 3 bars from public office anyone who took an oath to support the US Constitution and then has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

The Supreme Court is considering Trump's challenge to his Colorado disqualification, with Washington justices expressing scepticism about states taking sweeping actions that could impact the national election.