As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for office, protests have erupted in Washington, D.C., with critics calling on Congress to block him from assuming power. Their argument? The 14th Amendment may disqualify him from holding the presidency due to his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed these protests, stating, “President Trump will serve ALL Americans, even those who didn’t vote for him. He’ll unify the country through success.”
Why This Matters The 2020 election has been a sore spot for many. Trump has repeatedly claimed that it was stolen from him, citing alleged voter fraud despite a lack of credible evidence. His refusal to accept defeat sparked the U.S. Capitol riot, a chaotic attempt by his supporters to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.
Trump’s involvement in the riot, and his alleged efforts to overturn the election results, have led to state and federal charges. However, after Trump’s 2024 win, a federal case was dismissed, and another case in Georgia is still undecided. Trump continues to deny all charges, calling them politically motivated.
What’s Happening Now A political movement called “14th Now” is calling for Congress to use the 14th Amendment to block Trump from taking office. The amendment states that anyone who engages in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. government cannot hold office. The movement has staged protests from Friday to Sunday in Washington, D.C., hoping to convince lawmakers to object to Trump’s electoral votes.
However, it seems unlikely that Congress will take such action. No major Democrat has publicly supported the movement, and many insist that Trump won the 2024 election fair and square.
What the Courts Have Said The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in December 2023 that Trump was disqualified from the presidency based on his actions surrounding the Capitol riot. A similar ruling came from Maine’s Secretary of State. But in March 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked state decisions on who can run for president, without addressing Trump’s involvement in the insurrection.
What People Are Saying In response to Trump’s 2024 victory, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of respecting the will of the people, stating, “We live in a democracy, where the will of the people is respected and followed.”
Some legal experts, however, argue that Democrats have a constitutional right to block Trump’s certification due to his alleged actions during the riot. These experts point to his impeachment for inciting insurrection as grounds for disqualification.
In contrast, Trump’s supporters, including his campaign manager and family members, have strongly criticized the push to disqualify him, labeling it an attack on democracy.
What’s Next? As Congress prepares to meet on Monday to certify the 2024 election results, tensions remain high. While protests continue, most Democrats have shown no interest in blocking Trump’s certification, signaling that the 2024 election may soon be officially settled.
The debate over Trump’s eligibility may not end here, but for now, the focus will be on whether Congress certifies his victory—or if another dramatic turn in American politics lies ahead.
