Arizona secretary of state says he doesn't have authority to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot

Arizona's Democrat Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said he does not have the ability to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot in the Grand Canyon State. 

There have been calls from lawyers and activists to keep Trump off the ballot under the 14th Amendment, with one Florida lawyer pointing out a clause that says those who “have engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the government cannot hold office.

Other activist groups including Mi Familia Vota and Free Speech for People are also advocating to keep the 45th president off the ballot under the 14th Amendment. 

Fontes said on Wednesday that due to a previous ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court, Trump cannot be barred from running in the state.

“Now, the Arizona Supreme Court said that because there’s no statutory process in federal law to enforce Section 3 of the 14th amendment, you can’t enforce it,” Fontes said on “The Gaggle” podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. 

“That’s what the Arizona Supreme Court said, so that’s the state of the law in Arizona. Now, do I agree with that? No, that’s stupid,” he added.  

Fontes said he would follow the law whether or not he liked it. 

“What I’m saying is I’m going to follow the law,” he stated. “And the law in Arizona is what the law in Arizona is. Whether I like it or not, is irrelevant.”

Trump is still the frontrunner by far for the GOP nomination for president, based on current polling.