Critical court hearing for Trump begins: Will he be able to run?

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

Former US President Donald Trump was accused of "inciting the public and causing an insurrection in the capital" during the last US elections held in 2021. 

The former US President had been found guilty of "engaging in insurrection" under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. 

However, the judge ruled that the 14th Amendment could not be applied to presidents, and the case was moved to the Colorado Supreme Court. In the case heard at this court, the judge ruled that the 14th Amendment could also be applied to the president. 

Trump had previously been tried in a state court in Colorado regarding the events that took place in 2021. 

Accordingly, Trump was barred from participating in the election in the state of Colorado. Following this decision, it was also decided in the state of Maine that Trump could not participate in the election. However, the implementation of the decision made in Maine will be put on hold until the Supreme Court announces its decision regarding Trump. 

WHY WAS TRUMP'S CANDIDACY CHALLENGED?

According to the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, government officials who have committed the crime of insurrection against the federal government cannot continue in their duties or hold new government positions. The amendment was added to the constitution after the American Civil War to prevent former government officials who had worked for the confederacy from returning to their posts.

Following these developments, Trump filed an application to the US Supreme Court and appealed the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court. Trump's lawyers based their defense on the argument that the event, referred to as the January 6th Insurrection, was not an insurrection, and even if it were, Trump was not involved in the events. Furthermore, Trump's lawyers continue to maintain the argument they put forward in the Colorado Supreme Court that 'US presidents cannot be tried under the 14th Amendment'. 

In an assessment made by the Associated Press, it was emphasized that it is more likely that both Republican and Democratic court members will decide that Trump can be a candidate. 

The report stated that the court members found Trump's defense reasonable and that the panel could reach a consensus, especially on the point that US presidents cannot be tried under the 14th Amendment.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

During the elections held in 2021, when Trump fell behind current President Joe Biden while the votes were being counted, he first called for the "stopping of the count" on his social media account, and then invited the public to march to the Capitol building. 

Upon this call, Trump supporters gathered in front of the Capitol building in Washington, but the events spiraled out of control and the protesters occupied the building for a short time. After a while, Trump appeared before the cameras and called on the protesters to return to their homes. 

BIDEN AVOIDED MAKING A STATEMENT

After losing the presidency in 2021, Trump faced a series of accusations and frequently criticized the Supreme Court during this process. Experts in the US comment that today's case is a serious test for the Supreme Court. Democrats in the US believe that Trump should be found guilty. However, US President Joe Biden avoided making statements demanding that Trump be found guilty before the case.

News Source: Suat Tekin