California Gov. Gavin Newsom Denounces Effort To Remove Trump From State’s Ballot

Gov. Gavin Newsom of California recently addressed his fellow Democrats regarding their efforts to block former President Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s ballot.

This move by California politicians follows a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which declared Trump ineligible to run for president due to his involvement in the January 6 insurrection. The ruling has sparked similar efforts across the United States, aiming to disqualify Trump based on the 14th Amendment.

However, Newsom has cautioned against these actions in a statement on Friday.

“There is no doubt that Donald Trump is a threat to our liberties and even to our democracy,” Newsom said, “but in California, we defeat candidates at the polls. Everything else is a political distraction.”

In the wake of the Colorado decision, various California officials have taken steps to explore legal avenues against Trump’s candidacy. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a 2026 gubernatorial candidate, has urged the California secretary of state to consider all legal options to remove Trump from the ballot.

Additionally, Democratic State Sen. Dave Min, running for Congress in Orange County, proposed a bill allowing California residents to sue to block ineligible candidates. However, the legislative timeline makes it highly unlikely for such a measure to affect the upcoming March 5 presidential primary.

Before the Colorado ruling, a group of Democratic state legislators had already requested California Attorney General Rob Bonta to expedite a decision on Trump’s eligibility for the ballot.

The Colorado decision, marking the first time a presidential candidate has been disqualified under the 14th Amendment, has intensified efforts nationwide. In Michigan, voters suing to keep Trump off the ballot cited the Colorado case in a letter to their state Supreme Court. Similarly, in Maine, Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, addressing complaints about Trump’s eligibility, has invited lawyers to submit additional briefs considering the Colorado ruling. Bellows is expected to make a decision soon.

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