14th Amendment: Its Impact on Trump and Insurrection
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, stands as a cornerstone of American civil rights. Its relevance today, particularly in the context of the January 6 insurrection and former President Donald Trump, is a subject of intense debate and critical analysis. This post aims to explore the intricacies of the 14th Amendment, especially its Section 3, and examine its implications on Trump and the insurrection events of January 6.
At the heart of the matter is Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, often referred to as the disqualification clause. This section was initially designed to prevent former Confederates who had engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Union from holding public office.
It states that no person shall hold any civil or military office under the United States who, having previously taken an oath to support the Constitution, engages in insurrection or rebellion against the same. The relevance of this clause to the January 6 events and to Trump becomes clear when one considers the nature of the insurrection.
January 6, 2021, witnessed a violent assault on the U.S. Capitol, an act widely regarded as an insurrection. The mob…
