Trump’s lawyers say he did not take an oath ‘to support the Constitution’
In a twist that might even make George Orwell do a double-take, lawyers for former President Donald Trump have claimed to the Colorado Supreme Court that he never really took an oath "to support the Constitution of the United States." Therefore, in their world, he shouldn't be excluded from Colorado's 2024 presidential ballots under the pesky Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
This section inconveniently bars those who have engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” and sworn to support the Constitution from holding office again.
Meanwhile, in the New York financial fraud civil trial, a Deutsche Bank executive spilled the beans on the bank's cozy relationship with Trump, including favorable loan rates and their eventual breakup with one of their "most famous clients." Oh, to be a fly on the wall during those discussions! Back in Colorado, Trump's lawyers are playing a game of constitutional Twister, arguing that Section 3 just doesn't apply to him.
According to them, the presidency isn't really an 'office under the United States,' and Trump didn't actually take an oath to 'support' the Constitution.
Instead, he promised to "preserve, protect, and defend" it, which in their book, is apparently a whole different ball game.
On the other side, CREW, representing six Colorado voters, is calling out this argument as nothing more than a game of semantics.
They point out, quite logically, that the Constitution repeatedly refers to the presidency as an 'office,' and that 'officer of the United States' obviously includes anyone holding a federal 'office.' And, surprise, the presidential oath to 'preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution' kinda, sorta implies supporting it too.
The court is set to entertain this legal circus on December 6.
One can only hope they bring popcorn to what promises to be an interesting exercise in legal gymnastics and creative interpretation of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, in the New York financial fraud civil trial, a Deutsche Bank executive spilled the beans on the bank's cozy relationship with Trump, including favorable loan rates and their eventual breakup with one of their "most famous clients." Oh, to be a fly on the wall during those discussions! Back in Colorado, Trump's lawyers are playing a game of constitutional Twister, arguing that Section 3 just doesn't apply to him.
According to them, the presidency isn't really an 'office under the United States,' and Trump didn't actually take an oath to 'support' the Constitution.
Instead, he promised to "preserve, protect, and defend" it, which in their book, is apparently a whole different ball game.
On the other side, CREW, representing six Colorado voters, is calling out this argument as nothing more than a game of semantics.
They point out, quite logically, that the Constitution repeatedly refers to the presidency as an 'office,' and that 'officer of the United States' obviously includes anyone holding a federal 'office.' And, surprise, the presidential oath to 'preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution' kinda, sorta implies supporting it too.
The court is set to entertain this legal circus on December 6.
One can only hope they bring popcorn to what promises to be an interesting exercise in legal gymnastics and creative interpretation of the Constitution.