Supporters and detractors of Donald Trump are in intense disagreement regarding efforts to disqualify the ex-president due to his alleged involvement in the Capitol riot violence.
In a heated debate on Sunday, supporters of former President Donald Trump and his critics clashed over whether his actions on January 6, 2021, and his prolonged silence during the Capitol riot should disqualify him from the 2024 ballots.
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., emphasized that the determination of whether Trump should be on the ballot rests with states and courts. However, she asserted that Trump's conduct surrounding January 6 and his failure to condemn the riot immediately disqualify him from holding the presidency again. Pelosi stated on ABC's "This Week," "What is very clear is that the American people want us to honor our oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Pelosi's remarks coincide with ongoing legal battles nationwide, as advocates aim to disqualify Trump from seeking reelection under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Last month, Colorado's Supreme Court ruled that Trump was ineligible for another term and, consequently, barred from the state's primary ballot under a Civil War-era provision in the 14th Amendment meant to prevent federal officials who supported the Confederacy from regaining power in the reconstructed federal government.
Former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., who served as the vice chair of the House Committee investigating the insurrection, expressed her belief on CBS' "Face the Nation" that Trump "ought to be disqualified from holding office in the future." She anticipates that the case against the former president will progress through the justice system.
Meanwhile, Republican supporters of Trump sought to downplay the significance of January 6 in a series of Sunday interviews, opting instead to criticize Democrats for their lawsuits attempting to prevent him from appearing on the ballot.
Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., voiced her perspective on NBC's "Meet The Press," stating, "What we're witnessing is Democrats being so desperate that they're attempting to eliminate President Trump from the ballot."
On Friday, the Supreme Court announced its decision to consider an appeal challenging the ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that could prevent Trump from running for re-election in the state.
In addition to the legal battle over Trump's candidacy, the anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack has led to further revelations about Trump's actions on that day, just ahead of a federal trial where he faces charges of conspiracy to manipulate the 2020 election.
According to an ABC News report, special counsel Jack Smith possesses statements from former president's aides indicating that Trump, while watching the Capitol riot on TV in the White House, refused to use his influence to halt the events on Jan. 6.
Dan Scavino, an aide during Trump's administration and a member of Trump's 2024 campaign team, informed investigators that as the Jan. 6 riot unfolded, Trump showed little interest in taking additional measures to help quell the situation, according to ABC reports.
Another aide, Nick Luna, shared with investigators that Trump exhibited indifference when informed about then-Vice President Mike Pence, who was facing death threats from pro-Trump demonstrators and had to be swiftly moved to a secure location within the U.S. Capitol. Trump's reported response was a nonchalant "So what," as per ABC's account.
During an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union," former Vice President Pence criticized Trump's actions on Jan. 6, characterizing them as reckless. Despite expressing a preference for Republican voters to choose an alternative candidate, Pence argued against Trump being removed from the ballot.
"I believe that history and the American people will ultimately hold him accountable for his role on that day," Pence stated. He added that efforts to wrest the decision away from the American people are fundamentally contrary to the democratic principles advocated by President Biden and many Democrats in their commitment to defending democracy.
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