Ramaswamy: California's ban on Trump "blatant interference.

Post by : Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

Image credit-New York Post

Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent tech entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate, has strongly urged leaders within his party not to participate in primary polls that exclude Donald Trump from the ballot. The call comes in response to Colorado's decision to bar Trump from state polls, prompting California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to announce the exploration of legal options for a similar move.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ramaswamy voiced his concern, stating, "Now California is trying to remove Trump from the ballot, citing Colorado. DeSantis, Haley, & Christie should join me in pledging to withdraw from the primary in *any* state that removes Trump from the ballot."

The Indian-American leader emphasized that such a collective stance is crucial to preventing what he perceives as "blatant interference" in the Republican presidential primary polls.

The recent move by the Colorado Supreme Court, which declared Trump "disqualified from holding the office of President" under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, was a landmark decision. Section Three, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, prohibits individuals engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" after pledging to support and defend the Constitution from holding public office. This ruling marked the first instance stating that Trump's actions to overturn the 2020 election results render him ineligible to run again under this post-Civil War-era provision.

In response to the Colorado ruling, Ramaswamy swiftly pledged not to participate in the polls unless Trump is reinstated, declaring, "I pledge to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary ballot until Trump is also allowed to be on the ballot, and I demand that Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley do the same immediately - or else they are tacitly endorsing this illegal maneuver which will have disastrous consequences."

This development underscores the deepening divisions within the Republican Party and raises questions about the eligibility and participation of key figures in the upcoming primary elections. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how other Republican leaders will respond to Ramaswamy's call for solidarity in the face of what he deems election interference.