In a recent CNN interview, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft found himself in the hot seat as he was grilled by anchor Boris Sanchez on his threat to remove President Joe Biden from his state's primary ballot as retribution for Republican former President Donald Trump's disqualification in other states.

The controversy stems from Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the subsequent insurrection on January 6. Trump has been disqualified from the 2024 GOP primary ballot in Colorado and Maine, with concerns that the Supreme Court may rule against him in these cases.

Following the Supreme Court's announcement to review the Colorado ruling, Ashcroft took to Twitter, calling the decisions in Colorado and Maine "disgraceful" and stating that if the Supreme Court does not reverse the rulings, Secretaries of State will step in to ensure that the same legal standard applies to both Trump and Biden.

During the interview, Sanchez challenged Ashcroft's authority, pointing out that the Secretary of State lacks the power to determine a candidate's qualifications and decide whether they should be placed on a primary ballot. Ashcroft dismissed Sanchez's assertions, claiming that his plan would only be pursued if the Colorado ruling was upheld.

Sanchez pressed Ashcroft for his justification in removing Biden from the Missouri ballot, questioning whether Biden had engaged in insurrection. Ashcroft mentioned allegations of insurrection but failed to provide concrete examples when asked.

In an attempt to defend his stance, Ashcroft cited claims made by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who have suggested ballot removal for Biden in their respective states due to his handling of immigration. However, Sanchez argued that the situation at the southern border cannot be equated with the Capitol insurrection, highlighting the differences.

Throughout the exchange, tensions ran high, with Ashcroft accusing Sanchez of being "scared of the truth," which the CNN anchor promptly dismissed. Sanchez emphasized that the issue of whether the 14th Amendment is self-executing or not is a matter for the Supreme Court to decide, implying that it is not Ashcroft's prerogative to take action.

As the interview concluded, no consensus was reached on the controversial threat by Ashcroft to remove Biden from the Missouri primary ballot. The debate over Trump's disqualification and the potential repercussions for Biden continues to unfold, leaving many questioning the boundaries of Secretary of State authority and the implications for future elections.

The outcome of the Supreme Court's review of the Colorado and Maine rulings will likely have significant consequences and may serve as a precedent for the handling of similar cases in other states. The controversy surrounding the potential ban of President Biden from Missouri's primary ballot sparks renewed debate over the role of Secretaries of State in determining candidates' eligibility, ultimately highlighting the tension between political retaliation and constitutional norms.