Democratic Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes claimed Wednesday that he does not have the power to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot next year as critics argue Trump violated a constitutional amendment that would disqualify him.
Some legal scholars and critics of the former president claim Trump violated the 14th Amendment during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The amendment bars those who’ve taken an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again if they’ve “engaged in insurrection” against the United States or “given aid or comfort” to its enemies.
Fontes referred to a state Supreme Court ruling last year that determined the disqualification clause of the Constitution can only be enforced through Congress.
“Does a 25-year-old get to be on the ballot in Arizona for president?” Fontes asked the Arizona Republic. “According to the logic of the Arizona Supreme Court, they do. That having been said, can the Arizona Supreme Court be overturned? If somebody brings a lawsuit? Well, any law can be overturned in a judicial action. Now, I’m not inviting someone to sue me, although it probably will end up happening.”
via joemiller