Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, broke Thursday with Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) after she ruled former President Donald Trump was disqualified from the ballot for having engaged in an insurrection.
“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. 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,” Golden said in a statement on X/Twitter.
Bellows joined CNN This Morning on Friday and was asked to weigh in on Golden’s statement.
“In your decision, you argue that Donald Trump engaged in insurrection. You did hold a public hearing ahead of the decision. It’s interesting to note, Democratic Congressman from Maine, Jared Golden, said in a statement in response to the decision, quote, ‘Until he’s actually found guilty of crime, of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.’ Did that consideration weigh on your decision or give you any pause?” Bellow was asked.
“I reviewed Section Three of the 14th Amendment very carefully and determined that Section Three of the 14th Amendment does not say conviction. It says engage. And let’s go back and keep in mind that the events of January 6th, 2021 were unprecedented and tragic. This was an attack not only on the capital and government officials, the former vice president, members of Congress, but an attack on the rule of law. And the weight of evidence that I reviewed indicated that it was in fact, an insurrection. And Mr. Trump engaged in that insurrection under Section Three of the 14th Amendment,” she replied.
Watch the full clip above via CNN.
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