this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2023
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A weeklong hearing on one lawsuit to bar Trump from the ballot in Colorado begins Monday, while on Thursday oral arguments are scheduled before the Minnesota Supreme Court on an effort to kick the Republican former president off the ballot in that state.

Whether the judges keep Trump on the ballot or boot him, their rulings are likely to be swiftly appealed, eventually to the U.S. Supreme Court. The nation’s highest court has never ruled on the Civil War-era provision in the 14th Amendment that prohibits those who swore an oath to uphold the constitution and then “engaged in insurrection” against it from holding higher office.

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[–] Poayjay@lemmy.world 114 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

That Supreme Court decision will be the embarrassment of our generation. Even though the constitution says nothing about a conviction, they’ll say that without a conviction he won’t reach the threshold of “insurrection.” Or maybe they’ll conveniently redefine the word insurrection. Or maybe they’ll say he didn’t technically “engage.” The possibilities are endless if you decide the verdict first and work your way back creating a legal justification.

[–] Jaysyn@kbin.social 85 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Even though the constitution says nothing about a conviction

That's actually the easiest argument there to counter. None of the politicians & officers of the Confederacy were convicted for insurrection, yet they were still barred from office.

[–] troglodytis@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

"None of the members of Congress that gave aid or comfort to the participants of the Nov 6th riots have been barred from holding office, so it must not have been an insurrection." - Justice Thomas probably

It's the fact that we haven't held any of our elected officials accountable for their actions and words that will bite us in the ass.

[–] Pyr_Pressure@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"We haven't held anyone to account for their crimes so we cannot hold someone to account for their crimes"

[–] troglodytis@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Yep. Stupid as fuck, but little pink houses for you and me

[–] 1847953620@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

chippity chop

[–] Wooster@startrek.website 20 points 1 year ago (3 children)

What would prevent them from arguing that was improper, and thus invalid?

[–] EatYouWell@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago

The fact that they don't even have to argue. They don't have to justify their decisions to anyone, really, since there's no oversight.

[–] Jaysyn@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The same thing that prevents the Executive Branch from ignoring their rulings.

If they are going to play Calvinball, Biden should take a page from Andrew Jackson ask them how they plan on enforcing any of that.

I think that would be terribly dangerous for Thomas' continued freedom, with all the light being shined upon the bribes he's taken. He's still a Federal Officer & beholden to those laws despite his recent mouth-noises to the contrary.

[–] Honytawk@lemmy.zip 8 points 1 year ago

A bayonet in their face probably

[–] Nougat@kbin.social 19 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Section 3 Disqualification from Holding Office
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?507774-1/president-trump-video-statement-capitol-protesters

"We love you. You're very special."

[–] Dippy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Could still say he was not convicted of giving aid or comfort. Seems obvious he did, but without a trial not sure it would count. Although that would be an interesting trial as they track down the funding of these groups and how they are interconnected. Probably reveal some interesting players behind the scenes.

[–] Nougat@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Conviction is not a prerequisite.

[–] Dippy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It doesn’t explicitly require one, but that’s what the Supreme Court could argue to strike it down. While you and I can say it’s obvious based on what happened, I’d rather have a conviction to take someone off the ballot, otherwise it would be exploitable.

[–] Nougat@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

There is precedent. Many Confederates were excluded from holding office, even removed from office, based on 14AS3, without convictions of any kind.

[–] Dippy@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

Didn’t know! Interesting many “were understood to be” disqualified. Most without trial, but they also didn’t attempt to run under that understanding.

https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/past-14th-amendment-disqualifications/

[–] homesnatch@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

It is only a relevant precedent if it was challenged and brought to the Supreme Court. Otherwise, it is merely untested.

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago

"The Founders never intended for a President to be barred from running again due to formenting insurrection via Social Media, because Social Media hadn't been invented yet."

[–] EmpathicVagrant@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

Wild to think we don’t already have a dozen points of embarrassment of our generation

[–] thesohoriots@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

“I’ll take the shadow docket for $400, Alex”

[–] itsonlygeorge@reddthat.com 49 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is why the Republicans have focused on controlling the courts as part of their schemes for the last few decades. Now that they control the Supreme Court, anything that gets appealed will eventually be overturned by their corrupt cronies.

[–] Jaysyn@kbin.social 48 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

If the 14th Amendment doesn't cover Trump's actions, then there is actually no such thing as Insurrection in the USA.

[–] agent_flounder@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sure there is. It only applies to people with insufficient money, power, and influence.

[–] BigBlackCockroach@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago