The accumulated evidence, capped by Ms. Hutchison’s testimony, will again raise another possible legal obstacle for Mr. Trump: disqualification from any future federal office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Known as the disqualification clause, the provision applies to anyone who took an oath to support the Constitution and then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the United States or gave “aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
We have seen this challenge against others — like Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina — who were accused of insurrection. Triggering 14th Amendment challenges against Mr. Trump will be as simple as voters petitioning election officials in any state where he seeks to run to exclude him from the primary or general election ballot on the ground that he is constitutionally barred because of his role in the insurrection.
As with the Greene and Cawthorn cases, the challenges would surely wind up in court. Ms. Greene and Mr. Cawthorn were both allowed to run for office, but the cases established important precedents, including the willingness of election officials and courts to consider the issue.
We have seen this challenge against others — like Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina — who were accused of insurrection. Triggering 14th Amendment challenges against Mr. Trump will be as simple as voters petitioning election officials in any state where he seeks to run to exclude him from the primary or general election ballot on the ground that he is constitutionally barred because of his role in the insurrection.
As with the Greene and Cawthorn cases, the challenges would surely wind up in court. Ms. Greene and Mr. Cawthorn were both allowed to run for office, but the cases established important precedents, including the willingness of election officials and courts to consider the issue.
