Testing the boundaries of the 14th Amendment, Donald Trump on Friday insisted the Constitution allows him to run for president, even if he’s convicted and sentenced.
Trump was asked about the likely, impending indictment involving the Special Counsel’s investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which presumably would include his actions surrounding the January 6, 2021 insurrection.
If he were “convicted and sentenced,” Trump was asked on the John Fredericks Show, “does that stop your campaign for president?”
“Not at all,” Trump replied. “There’s nothing in the Constitution to say that it could.”
Ten days ago Trump announced that his attorneys had been told by the Special Counsel’s office he is a target in the investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. They reportedly were also told on Thursday to expect an indictment. Many expected Trump would be indicted Thursday in the election fraud and obstruction case, but instead Jack Smith’s grand jury handed down a superseding indictment in the Espionage Act case involving classified documents.
Since there is no current indictment in the investigation into his efforts to overturn the election any possible charges are unknown.
But Trump’s claim there is “nothing in the Constitution” to prevent him from running for president if convicted and sentenced ignores the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that states anyone who has taken an oath “to support the Constitution” and later has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” is disqualified from holding office.
Presumably, Trump can run, he can even be elected, but, it’s possible he would not be able to be sworn into office.
In December Trump called for “the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”
Watch Trump’s remarks below or at this link.
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