GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A judge is hearing arguments Thursday in three lawsuits centered on whether Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has the authority to keep former President Donald Trump’s name off the upcoming ballot.
Activists who filed the first two suits claim Mr. Trump was an inciter of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building, citing the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits a person from running for federal office if they have engaged in an insurrection or rebellion against the U.S., or given support to someone who has.
It’s important to note the Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit on Wednesday that cited the same provision.
A third lawsuit in court Thursday involves Trump asking the court to prevent Benson from leaving his name off the 2024 primary ballot.
His attorneys want the court to officially declare that Benson does not have the duty nor authority to keep him off the list.
Benson has already said in a filing though that Michigan’s Legislature does not give her the authority to determine whether a candidate for president may be disqualified for the state ballot under the 14th Amendment.
She added that she will follow the direction of the court either way.
Trump is considered the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
FOX 17 will be following these cases throughout the process.
