Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) called for former President Donald Trump to be allowed on the Maine ballot despite the secretary of state's decision.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows blocked Trump from the 2024 ballot because she alleged Trump violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment through his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. In a post on X, Golden disagreed with the ruling that Trump violated the Constitution.
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“I voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection. I do not believe he should be re-elected as President of the United States," Golden said. "However, we are a nation of laws, therefore until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.”
My statement on the Maine Secretary of State's ruling: pic.twitter.com/ByO3XJe1JS
— Congressman Jared Golden (@RepGolden) December 29, 2023
Golden's stance was met with both approval and disapproval online. Sports commentator Keith Olbermann chimed in to analyze Golden's statement.
"Read the constitution, Pal. 'shall have ENGAGED in insurrection or rebellion against the same' It didn't require a conviction for Alexander Stephens or the others," Olbermann said. "Doesn't require one for the modern day Traitor, Trump."
Read the constitution, Pal
— Keith Olbermann⌚️ (@KeithOlbermann) December 29, 2023
"shall have ENGAGED in insurrection or rebellion against the same"
It didn't require a conviction for Alexander Stephens or the others. Doesn't require one for the modern day Traitor, Trump
"Democrats in Disarray!" Trump's former assistant press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted.
Democrats in Disarray! https://t.co/J5TAzELEPq
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) December 29, 2023
Golden's fellow House member, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), responded differently to the ruling, agreeing with Bellows's reasoning.
"The text of the Fourteenth Amendment is clear. No person who engaged in an insurrection against the government can ever again serve in elected office," Pingree posted on X. "On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump incited a violent mob to block Congress from certifying the Electoral College + overturn the 2020 presidential election. Our Constitution is the very bedrock of America and our laws and it appears Trump’s actions are prohibited by the Constitution."
On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump incited a violent mob to block Congress from certifying the Electoral College + overturn the 2020 presidential election. Our Constitution is the very bedrock of America and our laws and it appears Trump’s actions are prohibited by the Constitution
— Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (@chelliepingree) December 29, 2023
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While Maine elected President Joe Biden in 2020 and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, Golden's 2nd District voted for Trump in each of those elections. Trump took 52% of the 2nd District's vote in 2020.
Golden is also up for reelection in 2024, with no Democratic opponent in the primary. Should he win, it would be his fourth term in office.