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Facts over Fear: Could state lawsuits remove Trump from 2024 ballots?
There is a movement that’s gaining momentum to keep Trump off the 2024 ballot in several states, including swing states, and including right here in Pennsylvania.
You may have heard about this as a theory already. It’s been written about by prominent Republicans and conservatives. Now, a little known GOP candidate for president is taking real action.
John Castro from Texas has filed a complaint against Trump and Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt to block Trump’s name from being placed on the Pennsylvania ballot.
The lawsuit is seeking an injunction from the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania to prevent the Secretary from processing or even accepting any documents that would put Trump on the ballot.
This theory, and now lawsuit is based on the Constitution’s 14th amendment.
It’s long, but the relevant part says this:
“No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office…. shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
January 6th ring a bell?
Two former federal judges agree. They made a similar and simpler argument about the disqualification clause in an article in The Atlantic magazine.
They wrote: “The clause forbids the former president from holding the office of the presidency again because of his conduct in and around January 6, 2021.”
Watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed a similar lawsuit in Colorado, on behalf of six Colorado voters who believe Trump is disqualified to be on that state’s ballot, as well.
It’s pretty clear that these lawsuits, and others like them will make their way through the courts system, most likely all the way to the US Supreme Court. It’s also clear it only takes one state to get the ball rolling.
It’s something to watch as we get closer to 2024.
And that my friends is a fact.
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