In a bold move to prevent former President Donald Trump from appearing on the 2024 ballot, a legal filing in Illinois argues that Trump's words and actions during his time in office violated the 14th Amendment. The filing asserts that Trump engaged in insurrection and rebellion or provided aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States. This challenge comes as the US Supreme Court is anticipated to make decisions on similar cases in Colorado and Maine that could render Trump ineligible to run for office.
Trump's team has mounted a defense, contending that he did not participate in insurrection and rebellion and that the presidency does not constitute an 'office.' However, critics find these arguments lacking in merit. They point out that the Constitution repeatedly refers to the presidency as an office, and therefore, Trump, as a former president, qualifies as an officer under the 14th Amendment. Additionally, evidence from the January 6th committee report and the recent Colorado trial seems to support the assertion that Trump incited a violent and armed crowd to march on the Capitol, resulting in the endangerment of Vice President Mike Pence and disrupting the peaceful transfer of power.
