In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has demanded that Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows recuse herself from making a decision on his ballot eligibility under the 14th Amendment. Trump's lawyers argue that Bellows should disqualify herself due to her past statements about the January 6 Capitol riot, which they claim indicate her bias.

Unlike other states, where lawsuits have been filed challenging Trump's eligibility in court, Maine's system allows the secretary of state to first weigh in on such matters. Challengers then have the option to appeal the decision in state court. Bellows, a Democrat, will soon issue a decision in response to three petitions challenging Trump's eligibility to be on the ballot.

Trump's lawyers wrote a letter to Bellows on Wednesday, citing three tweets she had previously posted referencing the January 6 events. The letter specifically pointed to two social media posts made by Bellows on the day of Trump's acquittal in his second impeachment trial. In those posts, Bellows described the Capitol riot as an insurrection and highlighted her efforts to protect election workers. Trump's lawyers argue that these statements show Bellows has already made a judgment on the core assertions made by the challengers.

The 14th Amendment forbids individuals from holding any office under the United States if they were found to have engaged in insurrection after taking an oath to support the Constitution. Trump's lawyers assert that Bellows' characterization of the January 6 events as an insurrection indicates a bias against Trump's eligibility.

Challenges to Trump's ballot eligibility have been ongoing across various states. Recently, the top court in Michigan denied a 14th Amendment challenge, and similar lawsuits in places like Minnesota have been dismissed. However, in Colorado, the state's highest court has declared Trump ineligible for the state's primary ballot, with the case expected to reach the US Supreme Court soon.

It remains to be seen how Secretary of State Bellows will respond to Trump's demand for her recusal. As the decision on Trump's ballot eligibility looms in Maine, it adds to the broader legal and political landscape surrounding these challenges across the country.

The article will be titled "Former President Trump Demands Maine Secretary of State Recuse Herself Over Ballot Eligibility Decision."