Internet unconvinced as Rep Jamie Raskin says Trump cannot hold office again under 14th Amendment
WASHINGTON, DC: In the wake of the Colorado Supreme Court's landmark decision disqualifying Donald Trump from the presidency under the Constitution's insurrection clause, Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin asserted that the former President is now ineligible to hold public office again under Section 3 of 14th Amendment reported The Hill.
The Maryland Congressman sharing his views in an interview on CNN's 'The Situation Room' said, "This is a chance for these [Supreme Court] justices to show that they really mean it when they talk about textualism when they talk about originalism. The plain text of the Constitution could not be any clearer."
Raskin, a former constitutional law professor's remarks come amidst Trump's pledge to appeal against the state SC ruling in the higher court.
Besides declaring his ineligibility for the presidency, the Colorado SC barred the leading GOP contender's candidacy in the state's primary ballot scheduled for March 2024.
What is Section 3 of the 14th Amendment in the Constitution?
The Colorado SC cited the Constitution's Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to stop Trump from entering the Oval Office.
According to the Constitutional Amendment, any public official, including the President, is ineligible to hold office again if "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," says Constitution Annotated website.
However, the amendment also gives the right to Congress to remove such disability by 'a vote of two-thirds of each House'.
In the CNN interview, Raskin also pointed out this power. He said, "If you've sworn an oath to support the Constitution and you violate that oath by engaging in insurrection or rebellion, you can never hold office again, unless the Congress votes by a two-thirds margin, to essentially, reinstate your eligibility. That's what the Constitution itself says."
Jamie Raskin says this is an opportunity for SCOTUS
As Trump pledges to appeal against the ruling at SCOTUS, Raskin added that the apex court should behave like real SC justices. "If Donald Trump is not disqualified from holding office again after what he did on January 6 in the weeks leading up to it, then who is disqualified? Why would they read an entire provision out of the Constitution?" he said. "So this is their opportunity to behave like real Supreme Court justices."
The Congressman said that the Colorado SC ruling was a "very straightforward textualist application of the Constitution." "The language is totally plain. The Colorado Supreme Court gave it a plain reading," he continued.
The latest political drama that put a question mark on Trump's presidential race received fierce reactions from Republicans and Democrats. However, his former Attorney General Bill Barr stated it might backfire as the former President "feeds on grievance." On the other hand, defense attorney Alan Dershowitz defended Trump, claiming that January 6 was not an insurrection.
Internet users react to Jamie Raskin's statements
Social media users suggested that whatever Raskin says will not make any difference and Congress, SCOTUS, or voters will make the final decision.
One user remarked, "It’s not up to him. That’s up to Congress."
Another user stated, "Let voters decide."
"What Janie Raskin says makes no difference," read another reaction.
A fourth user remarked, "Scotus will decide that, not Raskin."
"Well that settles it then," added one user. While another one said, "Well then, there you go."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
