Minnesota court rejects bid to ban Trump from primary ballot — but leaves open possibility for general election challenge

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected a bid to ban former President Donald Trump from the state's Republican primary ballot.

The lawsuit aimed to end Trump's candidacy, arguing that the 14th Amendment's Disqualification Clause prohibits those who "engaged in insurrection" from holding federal or state office. The complaint, filed by liberal nonprofit Free Speech for People, claimed that Trump's role in the January 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol disqualifies his presidential bid.

The plaintiffs in the cases argued that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is a qualification for the presidency. Trump's lawyers contended that the section does not apply to the office of the presidency and that it does not have power without Congress first establishing criteria for applying it. His attorneys also stated that the January 6 protest did not meet the definition of an insurrection.

Chief Justice Natalie Hudson dismissed the challenge Wednesday, writing in a four-page opinion, "There is no state statute that prohibits a major political party from placing on the presidential nomination primary ballot, or sending delegates to the national convention supporting, a candidate who is ineligible to hold office."

However, the court's decision does not prevent petitioners from "bringing a petition raising their claims as to the general election" in November, the opinion noted.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told CNN that the court's decision to leave the door open for a challenge on the general election ballot "is further validation of the Trump Campaign's consistent argument that the 14th Amendment ballot challenges are nothing more than strategic, un-Constitutional attempts to interfere with the election."

Ron Fein, a legal director with Free Speech for People, stated that the group is "disappointed by the court's decision," the Associated Press reported.

"However, the Minnesota Supreme Court explicitly recognized that the question of Donald Trump's disqualification for engaging in insurrection against the U.S. Constitution may be resolved at a later stage," Fein continued. "The decision isn't binding on any court outside Minnesota, and we continue our current and planned legal actions in other states to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment against Donald Trump."

Similar lawsuits were filed in Colorado, New Hampshire, and Michigan. The Minnesota court's ruling was the first in the series of suits.

Cheung contended that the lawsuits "should be summarily thrown out wherever they next arise."

The 14th Amendment's clause was established following the Civil War to prevent former Confederate officials from holding state or federal office.

"Ridiculous 14th Amendment lawsuit just thrown out by Minnesota Supreme Court," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. "Congratulations to all who fought this HOAX!"

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