Trump 14th Amendment disqualification efforts reach Minnesota Supreme Court

The Hill ^ | 11/02/23 1:31 PM ET | BY ZACH SCHONFELD

[RandFan]

Efforts to keep former President Trump off the ballot under the 14th Amendment reached the Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday, with several justices during oral arguments appearing wary that they should be the ones to determine Trump’s eligibility.

The case, brought by a left-leaning nonprofit, is one of multiple across the country seeking to prevent Trump from returning to the presidency under the clause, which provides that anyone who took an oath to support the Constitution but then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” cannot hold office.

Thursday’s arguments concerned several legal issues the nonprofit must prevail on so their case can move ahead: Does the clause apply to presidents? Can the provision be enforced without legislation from Congress? Is the issue a political question outside of the court’s authority?

Five Minnesota Supreme Court justices, four of whom were appointed by Democrats, are weighing the case after two others on the court recused. Several justices Thursday expressed concerns about the various threshold issues.

Ron Fein, legal director for Free Speech For People, the nonprofit that filed the lawsuit on behalf of eight Minnesota voters, said the court’s intervention is necessary to “uphold the U.S. Constitution and defend American democracy.”

“Donald Trump engaged in rebellion and insurrection against the Constitution of the United States in a desperate attempt to remain in office after losing the election,” Fein told the justices.

“Section Three of the 14th Amendment protects the republic from oath-breaking insurrectionists, because its framers understood that, if they’re allowed back into power, they will do the same or worse. Section Three’s plain text bars Trump from ever holding office,” he added.

[RandFan]

Beyond ridiculous but it's happening in many states seemingly.

[Lurker]

Everyone involved in these ridiculous lawsuits should be fined, sanctioned, and then disbarred including the judges who agreed to hear them at all.

L

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Could refusing to enforce existing immigration law and opening the borders to millions of illegal invaders be considered "insurrection?"

Asking for a friend.

[MrRelevant]

So once one state slaps this nonsense down, the rest of these frivilous suits will have to go down with it no?

[Gaffer]

Eventually before the campaigns start in earnest full-bore, the USSC is gonna have to settle this if states like Minnesota reinterpret the Constitution willy-nilly.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Can Biden be banned from certain states due to what he did as far as making millions in foreign countries and lying about it, two can play at this game

[Tench_Coxe]

No. That’s treason.

[nopardons]

SPOT ON!

[Pikachu_Dad]

Heard some of the argument.

[Mark]

So these idiots THINK he committed a crime- no trial.

I THINK these idiots committed rape,robbery, child molestation, and vandalism.

[Gaffer]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_federal_politicians_convicted_of_crimes

There were more than one of these who got re-elected or got other government jobs.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

And they should be tried for treason. And these bastards point fingers when it comes to insurrection?

[God luvs America]

Yup....i’ve been saying for the longest, I’d love to see Paxton take up that case upon his return to office. Would LOVE to see him take that up.

[ifinnegan]

We need nothing more to tell us they know Trump will win or would win if allowed to without fraud or disqualification.

[unclebankster]

Republicans running against Trump in 2024 Republican Primary absolutely love what the democrat lawfare teams are doing.

“Peas in a pod.”

[Trump_Triumphant]

Denying people the right to vote for the candidate of their choice is the best way to save our democracy!

[unclebankster]

Beyond ridiculous but it’s happening in many states seemingly.

***************

Its happening in many states because we have an expensive corrupt law system that is run by urban liberals.

When are non profit legal organizations that are persecuting the 45th President going to have their federal money cut off?

This is a question for useless House Republicans that are so worried about Ukraine & Israel funding.(I don’t mention Senate Republicans because they’re a waste of sperm & an egg)

[CodeToad]

““Section Three of the 14th Amendment protects the republic from oath-breaking insurrectionists, because its framers understood”

Seems law school doesn’t teach anything anymore and lets any moron get a degree. The framers of the US Constitution did not write the 14th amendment.

[lilypad]

Or denying a candidate his rightful position thru fraud and cheating,

[vetvetdoug]

Everyone involved in these ridiculous lawsuits should be fined, sanctioned, and then disbarred including the judges who agreed to hear them at all

I beg to differ with your opinion. I believe they should all be dealt with the same punishment as was given to William Wallace as an example on how to treat people that choose to use a fair system to unfairly affect an election. This is an overt action to thwart our election system and should be dealt with severely.