Last week, House Democrats led by Rep. David Cicilline, introduced legislation that would bar former President Trump from holding future federal office under the 14th Amendment. This legislation was proposed in response to the events of January 6th, 2021, when Trump was accused of inciting a violent insurrection at the Capitol.
The 14th Amendment states that no one who previously took an oath to support the Constitution and engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” shall “hold any office, civil or military, under the United States.” The Democrats claim that Trump “very clearly” engaged in an insurrection on January 6th, 2021, with the intention of overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election. They argue that Trump’s refusal to denounce the violent mob that stormed the Capitol, as well as his efforts to intimidate state and federal officials who refused to support his false claims of election fraud, demonstrate his involvement in the insurgency.
However, it is worth noting that Trump was recently acquitted by the Senate in his second impeachment trial. Despite the Democrats’ efforts to portray Trump as a criminal and a perpetrator of violence, the Senate determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove that he intended to incite violence.
Additionally, the Democrats’ assertion that the 14th Amendment prohibits Trump from holding future office is flawed. The Amendment was ratified after the Civil War, when ex-Confederates and seceded states rejoined the Union. It does not apply to President Trump’s situation, as he is not a former Confederate or a seceded state.
Here is what Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states regarding this matter:
“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.”
The proposed ban on Trump from holding future office is a disturbing attack on our democracy and the rights of the American people. It represents an attempt to silence the opposition and deny Trump his constitutional right to serve in public office. The Democrats should not be allowed to use the 14th Amendment to suppress the voices of Trump’s supporters and prevent him from serving in public office.