On a recent Sunday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) expressed his agreement with some legal specialists who posit that the 14th Amendment may prevent former President Trump from seeking elected office again. Schiff emphasized on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki” that the specific segment of the Amendment that restricts those involved in insurrection from obtaining office is particularly relevant to Trump.
Schiff highlighted that the Amendment doesn’t specify that someone must be officially convicted of insurrection to be barred from office, only that they’ve participated in it. “The 14th Amendment’s Section 3 is unambiguous. If you partake in insurrectionist activities or support those who do, you can’t run for office,” Schiff shared, reiterating the core of the legal argument. “It simply means you’ve participated in such activities.”
Drawing on his experience with the House committee that delved into the events of January 6th at the Capitol, Schiff speculated that this legal perspective might be evaluated if a secretary of state chooses to exclude or include Trump’s name on a ballot. He anticipates the potential for this matter to escalate to the Supreme Court’s purview.
“Such a scenario may unfold if a secretary of state opts not to list him on the ballot, or if a challenge arises after he’s listed. It’s possible the Supreme Court might be the final arbiter,” Schiff mused.
He also noted the divide among constitutional experts on this topic. “Several esteemed constitutional and progressive experts hold the view that he ought to be barred,” Schiff stated. As for the Supreme Court’s potential action on the matter, Schiff remarked, “It’s uncertain, but based on the 14th Amendment’s explicit wording, he ought to be precluded from holding office.”
