Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues his fight against legal efforts to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot across the US. The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision on Dec. 19 to bar Trump from the state has sparked controversy, with Kennedy criticizing the move as detrimental to democracy.
In an exchange on social media, Kennedy lambasted the Supreme Court’s ruling, comparing it to a decision one might expect in a “Banana Republic.” He expressed concern that a decision to bar Trump from participating in the election would make the US “ungovernable.”
Kennedy is adamant about the American people’s right to choose their president and has voiced his concerns about the erosion of democratic values and practices. In an interview, he said that the “seditious” move was akin to the actions of leaders in the former Soviet Union.
On Dec. 27, the Colorado Republican Party filed an appeal with the US Supreme Court to challenge the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision. The state court has put a stay on its ruling until Jan. 4, 2024, or until the US Supreme Court makes a decision.
Robert’s wife, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, who serves as his campaign manager, believes that the Colorado Supreme Court made the wrong decision. She emphasized the significance of open public discourse and debates, arguing that the decision to bar Trump would infringe upon voters’ rights.
California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis has also come under fire for attempting to have Trump removed from the ballot. Kennedy criticized Kounalakis’ close ties to the Democratic party’s establishment and accused her of using legal maneuvers to manipulate the electoral process.
Kennedy is dedicated to his campaign, traveling the nation to gather support through private fundraising events and voter rallies. He is actively working to secure ballot access in all 50 states and Washington, with his focus currently on Utah.
On Jan. 3 in Salt Lake City, Kennedy will announce his ballot status in Utah, where he has submitted the first batch of signatures. His campaign has been met with legal challenges in Utah, and Kennedy filed a lawsuit against state officials, arguing that the early filing deadline for independent candidates is unconstitutional.
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson has agreed to extend the deadline for independent presidential candidates to submit their signatures, in response to Kennedy’s lawsuit. The efforts to ease ballot access for independent candidates in Utah align with Kennedy’s broader mission to ensure that the people, not state officials, can decide the fate of election candidates in the US.
