Democrat Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis has called on the Secretary of State to “explore every legal option” to remove President Donald Trump from California’s 2024 ballot.
Kounalakis issued the call after Colorado’s Democrat-controlled Supreme Court ruled that Trump is “disqualified” from appearing on the state’s GOP primary ballot in 2024.
Inspired by the unconstitutional move, Kounalakis sent a letter to Secretary of State Shirley Weber, dated Wednesday, December 20.
The letter referenced Colorado’s recent ruling which stated Trump was ineligible to appear on the state’s ballot as a presidential candidate.
The justices cited false claims that Trump was involved in “inciting an insurrection” at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“This decision is about honoring the rule of law in our country and protecting the fundamental pillars of our democracy,” Kounalakis 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.”
Kounalakis told the Secretary of State that California “must stand on the right side of history,” and is “obligated to determine” if Trump is ineligible to be on the ballot for the same reasons he was deemed ineligible in Colorado.
Kounalakis, who launched a campaign to run for California governor in 2026, 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.
The Democrats and their corporate media allies have repeatedly pushed the “insurrection” narrative due to the clause in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
There are very few limits placed on who can run for president, but Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states that a person who has “engaged in insurrection” is constitutionally prohibited from running.
However, there was no “insurrection” at the Capitol, and claims that Trump “incited a riot” that day have been widely debunked.
The 14th Amendment states that a presidential candidate born in the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have not “engaged in insurrection.”
However, in an earlier version of the letter that hit social media, Lt. Gov. Kounalakis wrote, “You must be 40 years old…”
She also claimed 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 protest on Jan. 6, 2021.
The 4-3 ruling is stayed until January 4 because of likely appeals.
Three justices on the Colorado Supreme Court dissented.
“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 the 45th president to stay on the ballot but found that Trump “engaged in insurrection” for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol protests.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a statement that she would “continue to follow court guidance on this important issue.”
“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,” Griswold wrote.
“This decision may be appealed.”
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.
