Judge Deals Another Blow To Trump

A Nevada federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a challenge to former President Trump’s ballot eligibility, citing the lack of proper standing by the challenger. The decision by Federal Judge Gloria Navarro concluded that John Anthony Castro, an unlikely GOP presidential candidate, did not have authentic standing to bring the suit. Navarro argued that Castro had filed for the presidential race solely to manufacture legal standing, a tactic she deemed improper.

In her ruling, Navarro referenced an October article from The Associated Press, where Castro openly admitted that his candidacy was not a serious pursuit but rather a means to enforce the United States Constitution through legal action. The judge highlighted that Castro’s political competitor standing argument was rejected, emphasizing that he had artificially created standing for the purpose of initiating the lawsuit.

Moreover, Navarro clarified that Castro’s challenge specifically pertained to the state’s primary, while Trump was participating in the Nevada GOP’s rival caucus, rendering the challenge irrelevant to the former president’s candidacy in the primary.

This is not the first time Castro has filed 14th Amendment claims against Trump, with similar cases in New Hampshire and Florida already dismissed. Navarro did not delve into the merits of the challenge itself.

While Trump faces numerous 14th Amendment challenges nationwide, some have found success, such as a Colorado case set to be heard by the Supreme Court. The Colorado Supreme Court recently ruled that Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots violated the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection clause,” barring individuals who assisted rebellion from holding office.

Trump has consistently denounced these challenges as political interference, with his legal team contending that the 14th Amendment clause is not applicable to the presidency. The Trump campaign welcomed the Nevada dismissal in a statement, characterizing the suit as “bogus” and “bad-faith,” and asserting that it represented a victory not only for the former president but for all Americans and the people of Nevada.