Florida Governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is considering taking legal action to prevent President Biden from appearing on the state’s primary ballot.
This comes after DeSantis expressed concerns over the Biden administration’s handling of the recent surge of migrants at the southern border, which he refers to as an “invasion” of the U.S. DeSantis made these comments following a campaign event in Iowa on Friday, where he also expressed his disagreement with efforts to keep former President Trump off the ballot in other states.
DeSantis, a vocal ally of Trump, stated that he believes the U.S. Supreme Court will have to intervene in the matter, as he views it as a national issue that needs to be addressed. “I do think they’re going to have to rein this in because I just think if you look at it, it just becomes too different,” DeSantis said. However, he also mentioned that Florida is exploring the possibility of blocking Biden from the ballot, citing the influx of around 8 million immigrants under the current administration’s policies.
The governor’s remarks were in response to similar efforts in other states to keep Trump off the ballot. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on the matter, which was brought by a group of Republican and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. The state’s high court had ruled in their favor, citing the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits those who have “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office. This ruling was based on Trump’s role in the January 6th riots at the U.S. Capitol.
DeSantis, however, expressed his disagreement with these tactics, stating that he does not believe in “fighting with one hand tied behind your back.” He argued that if these rules and tactics are being used against Republicans, then the party should fight back using the same measures. “Whatever the rules are applied to us, we’re going to fight back and play the rules the other way,” DeSantis said.
The governor also emphasized that he is not worried about these issues and is focused on securing a better future for the country. “We’ve got a better way forward. We’re not going to have to worry about those issues. And then when I become president, I’m going to be able to address all the lawfare and all the weaponization, and we’ll be able to end this stuff once and for all,” DeSantis said.
The possibility of keeping a sitting president off the ballot has raised questions and concerns among legal experts and political analysts. Some argue that this goes against the principles of a fair and democratic election, while others believe it is a necessary step to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. The U.S. Constitution does not provide clear guidelines on how to handle a situation like this, leaving it up to the courts to decide.
DeSantis is not the only governor exploring this option. The Maine Secretary of State has already determined that Trump is ineligible to appear on the state’s primary ballot. Similarly, the Illinois State Board of Elections is set to vote on the matter later this month. These decisions could have a significant impact on the 2024 presidential election, especially if more states follow suit.
It is unclear if DeSantis will move forward with his plans to block Biden from the ballot, as it ultimately depends on the legal feasibility and support for such actions. However, his comments reflect the growing polarization and political tensions in the country, as both parties continue to use aggressive tactics to gain an advantage over their opponents.
In the meantime, the country will have to wait and see how the legal battle over Trump’s eligibility to appear on primary ballots unfolds. It is a unique and unprecedented situation, and its outcome could shape the future of American politics. As for DeSantis, his focus remains on his campaign and his vision for the future of the country, as he continues to cultivate his image as a strong, conservative leader.