Congressman Jonathan Jackson issues the following statement regarding the latest developments on the Trump ballot ruling.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contact:  R. Elizabeth Bratton, Director of Communications
 
Washington, D.C. – “The Supreme Court’s Ruling is contradictory. Justices cited the 14th Amendment saying states don’t have the authority to remove a Presidential Candidate from their ballots unless Congress passes legislation. This is not how the Amendment reads. Colorado banned Trump from the Republican primary, precisely under the “disqualification clause” of the 14th Amendment and had every right to do so.
 
The court’s decision is nonsensical and a bad sign for the health of our country’s democratic institutions. To understand why, you have to look at history and the origins of the 14th Amendment.
 
In 1866, during Reconstruction, Congress passed the 14th Amendment, and it accomplished many objectives, most importantly, it guaranteed that all US citizens, including Americans who were enslaved, had the same rights – equal rights under the Law. 
 
The apportionment clause contained in the 14th Amendment gives the federal government the ability to punish states if they unconstitutionally limit the right to vote. 
 
The enforcement clause gave Congress the power to pass the legislation necessary to enforce the 14th Amendment - which later led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
 
There’s also a disqualification clause, and this is key… this clause bans those who quote ‘engaged in insurrection or rebellion’ from holding public office. 
 
The Constitution is clear. The 14th Amendment was meant to protect us. The Court seems to have interpreted it as a blanket to cover the elite, but not enforcing it as a means of relief for the 1.4 million black men in this country who are disenfranchised. The Court has opened the door and inviting debate over this issue of disenfranchisement. For that, I thank the Justices. But their decision in reference to Trump is flawed.
 
It has been three years since January 6th, and Trump has faced almost zero consequences. It’s time for Congress to act. Democrats are preparing legislation to respond to this outrageous decision by the Supreme Court and I am 100% in-step behind this call to action.”
 
 
 

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