House Democrats introduce bill to bar Trump from office under 14th Amendment
On Thursday, the House Democrats introduced legislation to prohibit former President Donald Trump holding any federal office in future. They cited Section 3 of Section 14th Amendment.
Democratic Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island is the bill’s leader. He was also a House manager for Trump’s second impeachment. The bill also has 40 cosponsors who are all Democrats. It refers to the 14th Amendment provision that states no person who has ever held government office or “engaged in rebellion” shall be allowed to hold federal office again.
Cicilline stated that Donald Trump was involved in an insurrection in January 2021, with the intent of overturning the fair and lawful results of the 2020 elections. You don’t get the right to lead a government that you destroyed. Mitch McConnell, the Senate floor speaker, acknowledged that Trump has a responsibility for the events of today. ‘”
Cicilline said, “The 14th Amendment clearly states that Donald Trump, based on his past conduct, is disqualified from ever holding Federal Office again. Section 5 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to pass legislation to enforce this prohibition.”
The legislation details how Trump made Mike Pence refuse to certify the election results. He also failed to condemn the mob that attacked the Capitol for hours and intervened with officials who did not support his false claims about mass election fraud.
Both chambers of Congress must pass the bill. There are only days until Republicans take control of Congress and there is a significant end-of-year agenda. As the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol prepares for its final report next Wednesday, the legislation will be dropped. This committee is not authorized to operate until the end.