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California Lt. Gov. calls for state to ‘explore every legal

option’ to remove Trump from ‘24 ballot
By Greg Wehner Fox News

Published December 20, 2023 7:24pm EST

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Colorado's high court ruling once again makes Trump a 'martyr': GOP fundraiser
Former Clinton adviser Doug Schoen and GOP fundraiser Noelle Nikpour assess the ruling barring former President Trump from the Colorado presidential
primary ballot on 'Your World.'

A day after the Colorado Supreme Court disqualified former President Donald Trump from
appearing on the state’s ballots in 2024, California Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis is
asking the Golden State’s Secretary of State to "explore every legal option" to do the same.

Kounalakis sent a letter to Secretary of State Shirley Weber, dated Wednesday, Dec. 20,
and referencing Colorado’s recent ruling which stated Trump was ineligible to appear on
the state’s ballot as a presidential candidate because of his role in "inciting an
insurrection" on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

"This decision is about honoring the rule of law in our country and protecting the
fundamental pillars of our democracy," Kounalakis, who launched a campaign to run for
California governor in 2026, wrote. "Specifically, the Colorado Supreme Court held in
Anderson v. Griswold (2023 CO 63) that Trump’s insurrection disqualifies him under
section three of the Fourteenth Amendment to stand for presidential re-election. Because
the candidate is ineligible, the court ruled, it would be a ‘wrongful act’ for the Colorado
Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on that state’s presidential primary ballot."

The gubernatorial candidate told the Secretary of State that California "must stand on the
right side of history," and is "obligated to determine" if the former president is ineligible to
be on the ballot for the same reasons he was deemed ineligible in Colorado.

COLORADO SUPREME COURT DISQUALIFIES TRUMP FROM 2024 BALLOT

Former President Trump wearing a MAGA hat. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Kounalakis said Colorado’s decision could be the basis for California’s decision.

"The constitution is clear: you must be 35 years old and not be an insurrectionist,"
Kounalakis wrote, though in an earlier version of the letter that hit social media, the Lt.
Gov. wrote, "you must be 40 years old…"

POLL SHOWS BIDEN HITTING RECORD LOW APPROVALS, FALLING BEHIND AGAINST
TRUMP IN 2024 MATCHUP

Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis wants to explore the possibility of removing Donald Trump from the
state's 2024 ballots. (Getty)

She also said this is not a matter of political gamesmanship, but instead is a "dire matter
that puts at stake the sanctity of our constitution and our democracy."

Colorado’s disqualification was made under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
and tied to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

The 4-3 ruling is stayed until Jan. 4 because of likely appeals. Three justices on the
Colorado Supreme Court dissented.

DEMOCRATS DROP 'BIDENOMICS' AS SOME VOTERS COMPLAIN IT'S 'TONE-DEAF':

REPORT

Former President Donald Trump was removed from Colorado's 2024 ballots by the state's supreme court. The ruling will
likely face appeals. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"We do not reach these conclusions lightly," the court’s majority wrote. "We are mindful of
the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us. We are likewise mindful of our
solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public
reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach."

In a previous ruling, Colorado District Judge Sarah B. Wallace allowed Trump to stay on
the ballot but found that Trump "engaged in insurrection" for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol
riot.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a statement that she would "continue to
follow court guidance on this important issue."

CALIFORNIA LT. GOV. ELENI KOUNALAKIS ANNOUNCES GUBERNATORIAL BID FOR 2026

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold holds a news conference about 2022 legislative plans in Denver, Colorado, on
Tuesday, February 8, 2022. (Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post)

"The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump is barred from the Colorado
ballot for inciting the January 6 insurrection and attempting to overturn the 2020
Presidential Election. This decision may be appealed," Griswold wrote.

The 14th Amendment states: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress,
or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the
United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of
Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or
as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United
States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or
comfort to the enemies thereof But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House,
remove such disability."

Disqualification lawsuits relating to Trump's appearance on the ballot are pending in 13

states, including Texas, Nevada and Wisconsin.

Bill Mears and Adam Sabes of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

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