A CNN host and Missouri's secretary of state got into a heated argument over former President Donald Trump's exclusion from voting in two states.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft blackmailed If the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Colorado and Maine and disqualifies Trump, it would remove President Joe Biden from those states' ballots. Both states cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to exclude Trump from their ballots. state No individual may hold elected office if he or she has “engaged in rebellion or insurrection, or given aid or comfort to its enemies.”
CNN host Boris Sánchez argued that states have constitutional authority to decide how to conduct elections. Ashcroft said the Supreme Court has ruled in multiple cases that states don't have the power to decide who can run for president, adding that there is a “total lack of due process” in Maine. He claimed there was a “misunderstanding of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.”
The secretary of state also argued that the Colorado Supreme Court's Dec. 19 decision to remove Trump from office lacked due process. He said Section 3 of the 14th Amendment does not specifically mention the presidency, and that Trump would need to be convicted for the “insurrection bar” to apply.He plans to file a brief arguing that removing candidates from the ballot would be “devastating” to the United States. (Related article: 'Total chaos': Andy McCarthy issues ominous warning about Trump's SCOTUS lawsuit)
“If Democrats can do it, Republicans will do it, and if Republicans can do it, Democrats will do it more,” Ashcroft argued.
He also disputed the CNN host's assertion that Missouri's constitution requires him to go to court to remove Biden from the ballot.
“Sir, sir, what I want to say is whether the Supreme Court will uphold the Colorado decision and what that will be,” Ashcroft began.
“This case went to court to disqualify Donald Trump from voting,” Sanchez interrupted. “So according to the state constitution, you have to go to court.”
“You're not listening, sir, sir, let me be clear. First of all, you've already said you're not a lawyer and you don't know what happened in Colorado,” the Secretary of State said. Stated. “I was happy -“
“I know what happened in Colorado, sir, and what I said was that I didn't specifically look at all the evidence to qualify whether or not what was said here.” continued Sanchez. “Going back to my question, you said you decided to take Joe Biden off the ballot. Your state constitution, which I just read, says you have to go to court. is asking you what you think is your strongest argument.”
“And as much as I keep trying to answer your questions, you keep trying to tell me things that aren't true,” Ashcroft countered.
“That's not true,” the host said.
The two continued their conversation while the host challenged Ashcroft to answer questions about the state constitution and the possibility of excluding Biden. At the same time, Ashcroft continued to try to answer the host's questions.
Ashcroft argued that the decisions in Colorado and Maine set a dangerous precedent for future elections because they would give state election officials the power to exclude anyone from ballots. He asked the U.S. Supreme Court, which recently agreed to consider the Colorado case, to overturn the ruling to block this precedent.
He then claimed that Mr. Biden was suspected of causing a riot and that Mr. Sanchez had interrupted the debate.
“No, let me finish now,” Ashcroft said.
“You can’t say something like that and back it up,” the host interrupted. “what do you mean?”
“I keep going, but you interrupted me before I could back it up,” Ashcroft replied.
“Please, sir,” said the host.
“Are you afraid of the truth?” asked Ashcroft.
“Oh, I'm not afraid of the truth at all. Maybe you are too, let's see what you say,” the host interrupted.
Mr. Ashcroft cited claims by the lieutenant governor of Texas that Mr. Biden committed insurrection and insurrection. He also named Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, who said Saturday the state was considering whether to remove Biden from the state's ballot.
The CNN host then defended Maine Secretary of State Shena Bellows, who disqualified President Trump, arguing that the state constitution gave her that authority. Ashcroft disputed her own claims and questioned whether state officials could decide whether Trump appears on the ballot.
