It will set a dangerous precedent.
David Axelrod, a former top adviser to President Obama, expressed serious concerns on CNN about the potential repercussions of a court decision removing former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot, cautioning that such an action “would rip the country apart.”
In Axelrod’s view, preventing Trump from running could lead to widespread division, given the substantial number of people eager to support him at the polls. He stressed the importance of facing Trump in the electoral arena, believing that defeating him through the voting process is the Democrats’ most viable strategy.
Axelrod also highlighted how actions such as Maine’s decision to exclude Trump from the state’s primary ballot could inadvertently reinforce Trump’s narrative. According to Axelrod, Trump has framed the Democratic Party’s efforts to bar him from running as a deliberate attack on his candidacy, which he believes has garnered sympathy and support among his followers.
Regarding Trump’s legal entanglements, Axelrod pointed out a perceived irony: Trump’s popularity appears to have increased despite facing multiple indictments. He emphasized that what was initially seen as a potential weakness for Trump has instead bolstered his standing among certain segments of the population.
The discussion revolved around recent legal actions that removed Trump from primary ballots, including Colorado and Maine. Colorado’s Supreme Court decision based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment prompted a subsequent appeal by the state GOP to the U.S. Supreme Court. Similarly, Maine’s Secretary of State disqualified Trump from the state’s primary ballot, citing the same constitutional section related to individuals involved in insurrection.
Axelrod’s remarks underscored the potential impact of these legal battles on Trump’s eligibility and the broader political consequences, especially as these decisions are likely to escalate to the highest judicial level in the country.
