Today the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that states cannot remove Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot. Colorado officials, as well as officials from other states, had challenged Trump’s ability to run for the presidency, noting that the third section of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits those who have engaged in insurrection after taking an oath to support the Constitution from holding office.
All three branches of government and our media have failed us on the issue of oathbreaking Insurrectionists at the highest level. In effect we the people and our precious democracy are left hanging by an election. This November's General Election will decide whether we still have a democracy or whether a tyrant will have free reign over the (not so) United States of America. This is the stark reality that we must face. If we ever needed inspiration to vote, this must be this time and place. The people must save the people.
Pretty obvious that 5 "justices" decided to protect all the Republican Senators and Congressmen who violated their oath on January Sixth. They are utterly corrupt. A shameful disgrace from men who have no shame, led by Clarence Thomas the most shameless liar of them all.
All the more reason to make sure the White House and Congress are in Democratic hands, so that we can start impeaching these justices who are not following the laws of the land. Impeach Clarence Thomas, impeach Sam Alito, and impeach anyone else who is on the court with false claims.
It is not a bad thing to have the Supreme Court declare that Congress is the proper body to be making political decisions. Senators and representatives have been avoiding their responsibilities for too long.
Here is a potential means to wake up the House and possibly a large number of voters who may not currently be paying attention.
I would be grateful if a number of the readers of Prof Richardson's letters would write to Representative Hakeem Jeffries a letter similar to the one I wrote Monday evening. Also, send a copy to your congressman or woman. See below.
(A further suggestion: Make it a letter, not an email. Put real USPS postage on it. Hand-write the address on the envelope.)
* * *** * *
Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
2433 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
RE: Congress's responsibility
Dear Representative Jeffries:
The Supreme Court has declared that the responsibility for interpreting and activating Section 3 of Amendment XIV lies with Congress. I see an opportunity that Democratic representatives should not ignore.
Representative Matt Gaetz has drafted and introduced a resolution on the subject. If passed, it would declare Donald Trump innocent of any wrong-doing. Such a resolution invites debate. Debate requires evidence. Evidence is presented by witnesses. Credible witnesses will be believed by most voters who pay attention and who are not already captive MAGA.
Debate also provides an opportunity to argue about the meaning of the evidence. Logical argument will persuade people of good faith.
I doubt that a better opportunity will arise this year to expose the lies and to educate a large part of the electorate. All the Democrats need do is present the truth. There is a lot of truth to present, much of it already presented in the Select Committee hearings of 2022. As the hearings wind up, Democrats should point out the significance of a failure of Mr Gaetz's resolution to acquire a 2/3 majority.
Please let your caucus consider taking Mr Gaetz's resolution and running with it. In soccer terminology, this looks to be an “own goal” by the Republicans.
Today's Letter by HCR drives as a bullet to the core of how our country's government, its founding principles, and its democracy can be controlled not by its Rule of Law but by the autocratic goals of the Republican Party and Donald J. Trump, in particular, if we let it. The US' future as a country will be determined by the American people who vote in the next presidential and national elections.
Also the members of Congress who participated in Jan 6 are protected as they hold federal office. We need an all blue vote in November and the addition of members to SCOTUS. Then overturn this decision. Thank you Heather.
Ideologues, especially those on the far right, are showing a lack of integrity by “winning at all costs.”
Legislators can lay back while courts legislate from the bench. Dobbs turned medical practice into a political proving ground instead of a healing art. Wherever you turn, well-funded special interest groups are getting their way and resistance is weak. I fear what America is becoming and will become if Trump is elected.
" unnecessarily deciding all of these questions when they were not even presented by the case,"
We should not let this one drop with the news cycle. The SCOTUS insurrectionists need to feel the heat from the democracy they so arrogantly betray.
The danger increases. It is so dangerous that even France is changing their laws based upon our rush to facism.
All three branches of government and our media have failed us on the issue of oathbreaking Insurrectionists at the highest level. In effect we the people and our precious democracy are left hanging by an election. This November's General Election will decide whether we still have a democracy or whether a tyrant will have free reign over the (not so) United States of America. This is the stark reality that we must face. If we ever needed inspiration to vote, this must be this time and place. The people must save the people.
That last part. Damn that Moscow Mitch.
Pretty obvious that 5 "justices" decided to protect all the Republican Senators and Congressmen who violated their oath on January Sixth. They are utterly corrupt. A shameful disgrace from men who have no shame, led by Clarence Thomas the most shameless liar of them all.
The Supreme Court of the United States of America rides roughshod over the Constitution of the United States.
Well there's one for the history books, indeed.
Republicans have always condemned “activist” judges, unless they promoted conservative values and policies.
All the more reason to make sure the White House and Congress are in Democratic hands, so that we can start impeaching these justices who are not following the laws of the land. Impeach Clarence Thomas, impeach Sam Alito, and impeach anyone else who is on the court with false claims.
It is not a bad thing to have the Supreme Court declare that Congress is the proper body to be making political decisions. Senators and representatives have been avoiding their responsibilities for too long.
Here is a potential means to wake up the House and possibly a large number of voters who may not currently be paying attention.
I would be grateful if a number of the readers of Prof Richardson's letters would write to Representative Hakeem Jeffries a letter similar to the one I wrote Monday evening. Also, send a copy to your congressman or woman. See below.
(A further suggestion: Make it a letter, not an email. Put real USPS postage on it. Hand-write the address on the envelope.)
* * *** * *
Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
2433 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
RE: Congress's responsibility
Dear Representative Jeffries:
The Supreme Court has declared that the responsibility for interpreting and activating Section 3 of Amendment XIV lies with Congress. I see an opportunity that Democratic representatives should not ignore.
Representative Matt Gaetz has drafted and introduced a resolution on the subject. If passed, it would declare Donald Trump innocent of any wrong-doing. Such a resolution invites debate. Debate requires evidence. Evidence is presented by witnesses. Credible witnesses will be believed by most voters who pay attention and who are not already captive MAGA.
Debate also provides an opportunity to argue about the meaning of the evidence. Logical argument will persuade people of good faith.
I doubt that a better opportunity will arise this year to expose the lies and to educate a large part of the electorate. All the Democrats need do is present the truth. There is a lot of truth to present, much of it already presented in the Select Committee hearings of 2022. As the hearings wind up, Democrats should point out the significance of a failure of Mr Gaetz's resolution to acquire a 2/3 majority.
Please let your caucus consider taking Mr Gaetz's resolution and running with it. In soccer terminology, this looks to be an “own goal” by the Republicans.
Respectfully yours,
* * *** * *
Today's Letter by HCR drives as a bullet to the core of how our country's government, its founding principles, and its democracy can be controlled not by its Rule of Law but by the autocratic goals of the Republican Party and Donald J. Trump, in particular, if we let it. The US' future as a country will be determined by the American people who vote in the next presidential and national elections.
One interesting statement in the SCOTUS ruling is this:
"We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold State office."
Goodbye MAGA Insurrectionist Representatives!
Trump v. Anderson, Part II-B para. 1, page 6.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/slipopinion/23
"The great Wizards of Oz have spoken."
Hold my beer, folks. November is a comin'.
Update: I voted this early a.m. on Super Tuesday!
Also the members of Congress who participated in Jan 6 are protected as they hold federal office. We need an all blue vote in November and the addition of members to SCOTUS. Then overturn this decision. Thank you Heather.
This is truly what judicial activism looks like.
This country is screwed
Ideologues, especially those on the far right, are showing a lack of integrity by “winning at all costs.”
Legislators can lay back while courts legislate from the bench. Dobbs turned medical practice into a political proving ground instead of a healing art. Wherever you turn, well-funded special interest groups are getting their way and resistance is weak. I fear what America is becoming and will become if Trump is elected.