After the Civil War the Constitution's 14th Amendment was passed in 1868. Although I think the 14th Amendment, Section 3 was designed to prevent someone exactly like Donald Trump from running for president, timing is so important.
Consequently, I'm starting to think now it's too late to launch a movement to block Trump from being on the 2024 ballot.
Note: The 14th Amendment, Section 3 says:
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.
If the movement to use the 14th Amendment's power to block insurrectionists had been launched in most of the 50 states right after Trump announced his candidacy, on Nov. 15, 2022, it would have framed it as a direct reaction to his campaign announcement. (Like Attorney General Merrick Garland's appointment of Jack Smith was.)
So, it would already be making its way through the court systems in many states. And on its way to the Supremes.
It would also have latched onto the momentum established by the January 6th Select Committee's remarkable televised presentations, June 9 - Oct. 13, 2022.
Perhaps most importantly, by starting the process nine months ago, it might have seemed to have been more about adhering to the Constitution's 14th Amendment and less about not trusting the voters to reject Trumpism on election day. Appearance matters.
It would also have latched onto the momentum established by the January 6th Select Committee's remarkable televised presentations, June 9 - Oct. 13, 2022.
In that context, to many independents it may have seemed to have been less of a political ploy fashioned to provide what the Senate's impeachment trials didn't, and what the federal and Georgia indictments may not be able to deliver before the Republican convention, July 15-18, 2024.
Perhaps most importantly, by starting the process nine months ago, it might have seemed to have been more about adhering to the Constitution's 14th Amendment and less about not trusting the voters to reject Trumpism on election day. Appearance matters.
