State of Maine blocks Donald Trump from its Republican presidential primary
Former US President Donald Trump arrives at the New York State Supreme Court during the civil fraud trial against the Trump Organisation, in New York City on December 7, 2023.
The rulings in both states invoked the US Constitution's 14th Amendment, which bars from office anyone formerly sworn to protect the country who later engages in insurrection.
Fellow Republicans jumped to Trump's defense, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who is also seeking the party's nomination.
The US state of Maine on Thursday blocked former president Donald Trump from its Republican presidential primary ballot, becoming the second state to disqualify him over his role in the January 2021 assault on the US Capitol.
Maine's top election official, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, said in her ruling that the events of January 6, 2021 "occurred at the behest of, and with the knowledge and support of, the outgoing President."
