Does 14th Amendment Bar Trump From the Presidency? | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Donald Trump's eligibility to run for President is being challenged based on the 14th Amendment's Disqualification Clause, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding office in the United States.

Key Insights

• 🥹 Section Three of the 14th Amendment was passed after the Civil War to prevent former Confederate officials from holding office.
• 🇺🇸 Some legal scholars argue that the President is not an "officer of the United States" for the purposes of Section Three.
• 🍉 Disputes arise regarding the interpretation of the terms "insurrection" and "rebellion" under the Disqualification Clause.
• 🈸 The application of the Disqualification Clause to Trump's actions during the January 6th riot is a contentious issue.
• 😥 The justiciability of Trump's disqualification and the jurisdiction of courts to make such determinations are points of debate.
• 🖤 The lack of clarity in the 14th Amendment leaves room for different interpretations and potential challenges to Trump's eligibility.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Is Donald Trump eligible to run for President under the 14th Amendment?

The lawsuit argues that Trump's role in the January 6th riot disqualifies him from running for President under the Disqualification Clause of the 14th Amendment, but the Supreme Court has yet to answer the specific questions related to his eligibility.

Q: What defines insurrection or rebellion under the 14th Amendment?

The terms "insurrection" and "rebellion" are not explicitly defined in the Constitution. However, the lawsuit argues that Trump's actions align with the common understanding of these terms, as evidenced by bipartisan references to the events of January 6th as an insurrection.

Q: Can Trump's disqualification be enforced under Section Three of the 14th Amendment?

The mechanism for enforcing disqualification under Section Three is unclear. It could potentially be through a court challenge or state law processes regarding eligibility on the ballot. However, there is ongoing debate and no definitive answer on how disqualification would be enforced.

Q: Could Congress remove the disqualification on Trump through legislation?

Congress has the power to remove the disqualification through a two-thirds vote in both houses. The Amnesty Act of 1872 was passed to remove disqualifications imposed under the 14th Amendment, indicating that Congress can reverse the disqualification.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lawyers from the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington have filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump's role in the January 6th riot disqualifies him from running for President under the 14th Amendment.

• Section Three of the 14th Amendment prohibits individuals who have taken an oath as a U.S. officer and engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding office.

• The lawsuit argues that Trump's actions leading up to and during the riot constitute engagement in insurrection.