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Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, is facing an impeachment attempt by at least one Republican lawmaker after her decision to keep former President Donald Trump off the 2024 Republican primary ballot. Bellows, a Democrat, has labeled the impeachment attempt as "absurd" and defended her actions as following the law in Maine.

The controversy stems from Bellows' ruling that Trump is ineligible to run in the primary based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which pertains to the disqualification of insurrectionists from holding high office. Bellows explained that she was simply doing her job and adhering to the directive of the Maine State Legislature.

In an appearance on MSNBC, Bellows emphasized that she qualified Trump for the ballot based on his petitions and signatures. However, it was five registered Maine voters who challenged the nomination petition, as permitted by Maine state law. Bellows held a hearing within the required timeframe and issued a decision accordingly.

Bellows defended her actions, stating, "To impeach me for doing my job and following the law here in Maine is absurd... It's some of this inflammatory rhetoric, attack the person rather than debate the issue at hand. Distract the public from the issue at hand, rather than focusing on the rule of law and the Constitution."

The challenges against Trump's eligibility were brought forward by two former Republican state senators, a former Democratic state senator, and two citizens. On Thursday, Bellows concluded that Trump's primary petition is invalid due to his disqualification under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Unsurprisingly, the Trump team is expected to appeal Bellows' decision in Maine. Additionally, Trump has also been removed from the ballot in Colorado based on the same constitutional provision. The ruling in Colorado has already been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Maine state Rep. John Andrews, who called Bellows' decision "hyper-partisanship," has requested an impeachment proceeding against her. He expressed concern about Bellows' overreach and suggested that her decision was an act of voter suppression.

House Republican leader Billy Bob Faulkingham echoed the sentiment, stating, "There is bipartisan opposition to the extreme decision made by the secretary of state. She has clearly overstepped her authority."

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized Bellows, describing her as a "virulent leftist" who was interfering in the election. Cheung further alleged that Bellows was attempting to steal the election and disenfranchise American voters.

While Maine is not the only state grappling with challenges to Trump's eligibility for the 2024 primary ballot, this impeachment attempt raises questions about the role of election officials and the partisan tensions surrounding the issue. As the legal battles continue, the focus remains on safeguarding the integrity of the election process and upholding the Constitution.