In a recent interview on CNN, former top Obama adviser David Axelrod expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of removing former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot for the 2024 election. Axelrod stated that such a decision would "rip the country apart" due to the significant number of people who still support Trump and want to vote for him.

Axelrod argued that the Democrats' best chance of defeating Trump is through the electoral process. He emphasized that if they want to beat Trump, they will likely have to do it at the polls. The former political advisor also highlighted the impact of Maine's decision to remove Trump from the state's primary ballot, stating that it plays into Trump's narrative that the Democratic Party is targeting him solely because of his presidential bid.

According to Axelrod, Trump's motivation for running for president was partly driven by a legal defense strategy. He wanted to create a narrative that portrayed his opponents as trying to prevent him from becoming president. Axelrod believed that the left's efforts to remove Trump from the ballot have backfired, as he has actually gained popularity despite facing numerous indictments. He stated, "We've run this experiment, he's only gained since he started getting indicted. What you thought might be kryptonite for him has turned out to be battery packs, and this is a big one for him."

The recent ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which removed Trump from the state's primary ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, has further fueled the debate. However, Colorado's Secretary of State has decided to keep Trump on the ballot pending the state GOP's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is worth noting that Colorado is a Democratic-leaning state and is not expected to be competitive for Republicans in the upcoming election.

Adding to the controversy, Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, disqualified former President Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot, citing the same Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that was invoked by the Colorado Supreme Court. This section of the U.S. Constitution bans individuals who have "engaged in insurrection" from holding office.

The final decision on Trump's eligibility for the 2024 election now rests with the Supreme Court, which is expected to make a ruling in the near future. The outcome of this decision will undoubtedly have significant implications for both Trump and the country as a whole.