DLNews Politics:

The legal landscape is buzzing with efforts to disqualify Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential race, leveraging Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This section, rarely invoked since the Civil War, bars those who have engaged in insurrection from holding office. The amendment, originally aimed at preventing former Confederates from regaining power, is now at the center of two key rulings.

In Colorado, a district judge has declared Trump ineligible for the 2024 ballot, citing his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol incident as insurrectionist conduct. However, this decision is on hold until Jan. 4 and is subject to the Colorado Supreme Court's review, which might set a precedent for the entire country.

Similarly, in Maine, the Secretary of State Shenna Bellows concluded Trump engaged in insurrection, but this ruling, too, awaits further judicial scrutiny. The appeals, likely headed to the Supreme Court, will test the boundaries of the 14th Amendment within the federal framework.

These cases are groundbreaking, yet some legal analysts argue that using a Civil War-era provision against Trump is a stretch. They posit that such an application could unduly restrict the democratic right of voters to choose their president.

On the other hand, numerous cases attempting to disqualify Trump have been dismissed, like those in Florida and New Hampshire, due to the plaintiffs' lack of standing. However, other cases, including a pivotal one in Oregon, are progressing. The Oregon Supreme Court is set to deliberate on Trump's attorney's dismissal request, with a potential full trial looming in February.

Even if these efforts succeed, the practical impact might be limited. State primaries are fast approaching, and Trump's name will likely appear on many ballots. Furthermore, traditionally reluctant to intervene in electoral matters, the Supreme Court might not weigh in, leaving Trump's candidacy relatively unscathed.

As the 2024 presidential primaries approach, these legal battles underscore the tension between historical constitutional provisions and modern political realities, with Oregon potentially emerging as a critical battleground in this unfolding saga.