Constitutional Ban On Trump From Holding Office Pushed By Raskin

0
873

During a TV interview following the decision by the House panel investigating the Capitol riot to refer Donald Trump and several of his top associates for prosecution on an array of federal offenses, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who serves on that panel, outlined the need for accountability and the opportunity to impose such a thing through the sharp restrictions found in a portion of the Constitution on those with involvement in insurrection later serving in the government.

Asked about his concerns regarding possibly future actions along these same parameters by Trump, Raskin said: “The historians and the political scientists we’ve spoken to have been very clear about this. The surest sign of a successful coup coming is a recently failed coup, where the coup plotters and insurrectionists got to diagram the weaknesses in the existing structure. And so if there’s impunity, if they think they can operate with immunity and under the cover of darkness, then they are undoubtedly going to come back again… There must be consequences, and not just for the hundreds of foot soldiers who are already facing the music… but also for people all the way at the top, the masterminds and the ringleaders. But constitutionally, the answer to your question is right there in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.”

Those provisions of the Constitution block individuals with involvement in insurrection from holding federal office, though some could challenge the legally actionable definitions of both insurrection and involvement in the same. Raskin also specified in his comments he believed Trump to be disqualified under those rules. “There must be no second chances for coup plotters, which is what Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is all about,” a caption to the video on Raskin’s personal Twitter account added.

Trump has, of course, already confirmed his ambition to nab the 2024 presidential nomination from the Republican Party, and some have also already stated their interest in pursuing court action blocking Trump from regaining the presidency on the basis of the constitutional provisions Raskin mentioned. A county commissioner in New Mexico who participated in the Capitol riot and was criminally charged for doing so was removed from office by a judge under those very provisions.

Elsewhere in his interview, Raskin also outlined some of the basis for the specific criminal charges the riot panel recommended for Trump. What he mentioned included that during the riot Trump posted on Twitter in further opposition to Pence, providing rioters with additional encouragement. He also mentioned Trump’s broader record of support for the riot participants, including his stated interest in issuing presidential pardons if he regains the White House — statements that establish a record of aid for riot participants. Check out Raskin’s comments below: