Ramaswamy doubles down on vow to withdraw from Maine, Colorado ballots

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy reiterated his pledge to withdraw from voting in states that exclude former President Trump and called on other Republican candidates to do the same.

In an interview on NewsNation Prime on Monday, Ramaswamy told host Natasha Zubes that his goal is to boycott elections in Maine and Colorado, which have previously excluded Trump from the ballot. He said this meant “nullifying” it.

“Well, look, that wasn't a protest. I'm actually a very practical person. I don't think a private secretary of state could have put Donald Trump on the ballot without any trial or any process. “I think it's extremely unconstitutional and wrong to wake up one day and decide not to do so. That's wrong,” Ramaswamy said.

Maine and Colorado have ruled against President Trump based on their interpretation of how the 14th Amendment's Insurrection Clause applies to his actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was disqualified from running for office.

In Maine, Secretary of State Shena Bellows made the decision, but suspended it pending appeal.

The Colorado Supreme Court, which Ramaswamy called a “cabin of judges,” reached a similar conclusion, but the state Republican Party has appealed the decision, and the Trump campaign has vowed to do so as well.

“Republican candidates could actually stop this form of election interference if they were going to do such an unconstitutional act. So I said I would remove my name from the ballot and I would not leave the race.” I called on other participating Republicans to do the same,” Ramaswamy said.

“Right now, other countries are avoiding this issue and staying radio silent. But if all Republicans removed themselves, Maine would be nullified as well, unconstitutionally removing candidates from the ballot.” That would invalidate the state of Colorado.”

The constitutionality of this exclusion has not yet been determined, as the U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on the application of the Insurrection Clause.

This provision provides for the expulsion from public office of any person who has “previously sworn an oath as a member of Congress, as an officer of the United States, or as a member of the legislature of a state, or as an executive or judicial officer of a state.” is prohibited. Supporting the Constitution of the United States, engaging in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution, or giving aid or comfort to enemies of the Constitution. ”

Trump's critics say his actions on January 6 fit that definition. His defenders argue that the events of that day did not amount to a “riot or insurrection.”

Mr. Ramaswamy's non-Trump Republican presidential candidates, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, are all working to block Mr. Trump from participating in the election. criticized.

“If they remove Trump's name, they will remove my name, so I call on Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Chris Christie to do the same. Their words are Cheesy. Actions speak louder than words,” Ramaswamy said.

“Now, I think their unwillingness to do that makes it clear that they are partially complicit in what is actually happening, even if indirectly. My position is clear: I think it's unconstitutional, and we need to act on principles.”