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14th Amendment Implications: Donald Trump’s Removal from the Primary Ballot
Abstract
The causation of Donald Trump's potential removal from the 2024 presidential ballot stems from
a historical continuity of deep-seated political polarization in the United States. This polarization,
evident in the aftermath of the Capitol Hill riot of 2021, reflects a pattern of enduring discord
between the two major political parties. The refusal to accept election outcomes and the resultant
attack on the Capitol mirrors historical moments, such as the U.S. Civil War, highlighting the
ongoing struggle to find common ground. Trump's involvement in inciting the Capitol attack
showcases the abuse of presidential power, drawing parallels with the historical abuse of power
seen in the Watergate scandal and the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court decision. The comparison of
media coverage between Fox News and CNN further accumulates the pattern of continuity and
change. In the broader context, the continuity of issues like political polarization and abuse of
power persists, with historical events shaping the present political landscape. While the pattern
events like the Capitol Hill riot, and a growing emphasis on holding leaders accountable. The
ongoing struggle for a balance between presidential authority and party interests highlights the
the complex narrative of Trump's potential removal and its implications for the future of
American politics.
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 3
14th Amendment Implications: Donald Trump’s Removal from the Primary Ballot
Currently, the Republican Party dominates American politics, with Nikki Haley and Ron
DeSantis vying for second place behind Donald Trump. While Trump has over 50% support in
national polls, he faces removal from primary ballots in Maine and Colorado (Wiederkehr, n.d.).
This is also not just a battle within the Republican party, but as Democrats and Republicans drift
apart ideologically, the American political landscape has seen increasing polarization. This paper
explores the causation of Trump's potential removal from the 2024 ballot, examining its impact
on political parties and public image. Comparisons with the Watergate scandal and Bush v. Gore
reveals both similarities and distinctions, demonstrating evolving patterns of continuity and
change in public perception, party influence, presidential power, and responses to political
events.
Causation
The idea of two political parties forming allowed for a more collaborative environment
between different ideologies, which can be seen from the foundations of the United States
government system. The two modern manifestations of those parties are the Democrats and the
Republicans. A Pew Research Center analysis, however, shows a major polarization about how,
on average, Democrats and Republicans are farther apart ideologically today than at any time in
the past 50 years. This shows how divided the United States is between two political affairs.
Republicans grew more conservative, and Democrats grew more liberal, almost forming no
common ground between them. It is evident today how a presidential election meant to appoint
an individual that aligns with a person’s values turned into a name recognition election and a
battle against the other party. Growing partisanship and false claims fueled the Capitol Hill Riot
of 2021, which eventually led to Trump’s removal from the 2024 presidential ballot in certain
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 4
Donald Trump’s term as the 45th president of the United States was seen as nothing less
than unique. This is due to the fact that he, unlike past presidents, indulged in political fights
rather than trying to unify the nation (Pew Research Center, 2021). Trump’s over-the-top
campaign on Facebook allowed him to create a narrative that netizens blindly followed (Krieg,
2016). This, combined with the low voter turnout, gave him a 304 electoral vote compared to
Clinton’s 227, which he claims to be a “massive landslide victory” (Seipel, 2016). Almost three
years after his win, Trump’s first impeachment occurred. It was voted on by the House of
Trump, 2019-2020, Ballotpedia, n.d.). According to impeachmentguide, Trump was the very first
president to have members of his own party vote to withdraw him from office. He was later
acquitted by the Senate as the count failed to receive 67 votes, the number needed to convict him
Following the end of his term, the 2020 U.S. presidential election came up. Donald
Trump falsely claimed that Democrats were planning to manipulate the election through
fraudulent means. Despite this, the electors confirmed Biden's 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232
on December 14, which turned attention to the Congress on January 6 for the formal vote
counting (Duignan, 2024). Fueled by accusations of fraud and a refusal to accept defeat, a
pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol on January 6, attempting to overturn the election results.
This event highlights escalating partisanship, leading to a significant and disruptive protest
against the U.S. government. President Trump's involvement in instigating the Capitol attack led
to his second impeachment by the House of Representatives, though the Senate ultimately
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 5
acquitted him. The aftermath of the Capitol assault exposed deep political divisions and
This development has brought us to the present moment, where Donald Trump, a
Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, is facing the possibility of being
removed from the ballot in Maine and Colorado (Gamio, Smith, & Bogel-Burroughs, 2024).
These states argue that Trump's involvement in the violent uprising against the confirmation of
Biden's victory, commonly known as the Capitol insurrection, disqualifies him from running for
the presidency. Trump, in response, has appealed his removal from Maine's primary while also
State, argued that “no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection.” Whereas
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment’s conditions has never exactly applied to anyone in the
presidency, thus giving Trump the upper hand (The White House, 2021). This is because the
insurrection ban has never been used against a president, handing the Supreme Court and its
judicial review a new affair to stitch over. As a given, this circumstance is an example of loose
Because of that, a court case accepted by the Colorado Supreme Court known as Trump
v. Anderson is now scheduled to be on February 8, 2024. (Supreme Court, 2024.) Plaintiffs in the
Anderson litigation have agreed with the GOP that the Supreme Court tends to this case on
hastened notice. They explained that voting in Colorado happens mostly by mail and will begin
once ballots are mailed out on February 12. They also expanded by “proposing a schedule that
will allow for a briefing and argument by February 11.” This is because this trial initially started
out as Anderson v. Griswold, and in a 4-3 decision, Trump was officially removed from
Colorado’s ballot. The Colorado Republican Party then issued an appeal, which led the Court to
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 6
indefinitely draw out its verdict as they had to reconsider the GOP’s side (Supreme Court, 2024).
On January 3, Trump also appealed, which the Supreme Court announced to be a case that will
be taken up as Trump v. Anderson (Erskine, 2024). In his petition, he argued that he did not take
part in an insurrection and that the insurrection ban did not apply to the presidency. Once again,
this is a case of loose construction, as the 14th Amendment does not exclusively state that its
statutes have to do with insurrections by people under the presidency. The opposing responses
between the two parties to this show that, despite facing legal challenges and being linked to an
insurrection, Trump still maintains support from allies who see him as the best candidate to rival
Biden. This accentuates the current trend of partisanship and name recognition, where voters
prioritize defeating the opposing party rather than choosing the most qualified leader for the
nation.
One of the effects of this scenario may be that it benefits other candidates, such as Nikki
Haley and Ron DeSantis, who might gain more supporters. This shift in support could gravely
diminish Trump's influence in the primary national polls. Beyond channeling support for other
candidates, it restricts Trump supporters in Maine and Colorado from voting for their preferred
prospect, which promptly violates their 1st Amendment rights (The White House, 2021). Their
rights include freedom of speech, assembly, religion, etc. By removing these rights, it reduces the
citizen’s ability and say in choosing a candidate who truly represents their values and preferences
in these two states. In the future, the possibility of being kicked off the presidential ballot by
different states may perhaps heighten due to Trump’s removal. This could potentially influence
new arrangements for the position. These unfolding events emphasize the complex cooperation
Comparison
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 7
The first comparison is the difference between Fox and CNN’s political ideologies, with
CNN leaning towards a Democratic viewpoint and Fox News leaning closely toward a
Republican perspective. The news channels show different sides of Trump, so people may have
very different opinions about his removal from the ballot. The second comparison is the abuse of
power between Trump and Nixon during their presidency. In addition, the Capitol riot involving
Trump and Nixon's Watergate scandal both show leaders misusing their power. These events
raised doubts about the government, making people more careful about trusting elected officials.
Finally, the third comparison is the Capitol Hill riot of 2021 and the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court
decision in 2000.
Fox News, which generally supports conservative views, often defended Trump. CNN, a
more liberal outlet, critically analyzed the events and questioned Trump's actions. On Fox News,
Trump found a friendly platform to express his views, often defiant and emphasizing his
grievances. CNN discussed how Trump's response might affect democratic norms and the rule of
law. Consequently, different news outlets can present the same events differently. For example,
CNN provides a detailed account of the legal challenges faced by Donald Trump in relation to
his eligibility for the 2024 presidential election. The network emphasizes Trump's arguments
against his disqualification, including the assertion that Congress, not the courts, should
determine his eligibility (Collinson, S. 2024). CNN also highlights Trump's claims of bias
against Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and his false allegations of voter fraud (Collinson, S.
2024). The reporting maintains a critical tone, indicative of a meticulous analysis of Trump's
Fox News, on the other hand, presents a summary that focuses on the legal efforts of
more than two dozen states urging the Supreme Court to keep Trump on the Colorado
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 8
Republican presidential ballot (Shaw, A. 2024). The network emphasizes the potential chaos in
the 2024 election if Trump is removed from the ballot, highlighting concerns about the Colorado
Supreme Court's decision and its national implications (Shaw, A. 2024). Additionally, Fox News
reports on President Biden's speech marking the anniversary of the Capitol riot, with a particular
emphasis on Trump's response and his allegations of election rigging (Singman, B. 2024). This
coverage aligns with Fox News's reputation as a news outlet with a more right-leaning
perspective, emphasizing the concerns of those supporting Trump within the Republican Party.
Trump's involvement in the Capitol riot could also constitute an abuse of power. He
encouraged his party supporters to oppose the capital rather than accept defeat. The abuse of
power can also be seen in past presidents, such as Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal. As with
Trump's controversy, Nixon's presidency was tainted by the Watergate scandal, which raised
undermine the democratic process for political gain. The Watergate scandal didn't just break the
idea of a government we could trust; it made people more cautious of elected officials. Despite
this, they had different purposes. The Watergate scandal was primarily about covering up and
obstruction of justice (Gillis, C. 2017), while the Capitol insurrection and election fraud were
attempts to disrupt the democratic process through heinous means (American Oversight 2023).
This contrasts with Watergate, where Richard Nixon's abuse of power, including a break-in and
attempts to cover up illegal activities, resulted in his resignation (Gillis, C. 2017). Trump and
Nixon were both involved in allegations of abusing presidential power and using the office for
personal or political gain. The Watergate scandal and Trump controversies led to impeachment
proceedings, highlighting concerns about the limits of executive power. Nonetheless, the public’s
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 9
perception of Trump’s presidency did not waver. They used Trump’s economic policies as a
The comparison between the Capitol Hill riot of 2021 and the Bush v. Gore Supreme
Court decision in 2000 displays both similarities and distinctions between these pivotal moments
in American history. In the middle of a contested election, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol,
fueled by unfounded allegations of election fraud. Bush v. Gore, on the other hand, involved a
legal dispute regarding Florida's recount process without any physical protests. Notwithstanding
these differences, both events led to disruptions in official proceedings. However, the nature of
the disputes varied significantly. The Capitol Hill riot, driven by false allegations, attempted to
overturn election results through violent means (American Oversight 2023). In contrast, the
disagreement in Bush v. Gore centered on procedural issues related to the recount. Another
difference is that the Capitol Hill riot directly attacked a symbol of American democracy,
prompting the evacuation of lawmakers, whereas Bush v. Gore found resolution primarily in the
courts through a Supreme Court ruling. In the aftermath, distinct resolutions emerged. The
Capitol Hill riot had no significant effect on the election outcome but served as an unforgettable
event. Conversely, the resolution of the Bush v. Gore case definitively concluded the recount
process in Florida during the 2000 presidential election, ultimately securing the victory of
George W. Bush (National Constitution Center 2023). All in all, the Capitol Hill Riot and the
Bush v. Gore decision illustrate the challenges partisanship poses to American democracy. The
Capitol Hill Riot demonstrated the dangers of uncontrolled political passion, and Bush v. Gore
demonstrated the complexities of legal disputes. In examining these events, there is a deeper
change over time, allowing us to identify influences that shape the larger historical events and
themes. For example, people talk about the devastation of war and its negative implications and
effects on countries and their people. However, there is still conflict that is held onto, despite it
being from many years ago. The inability to find a common ground is what may lead to ongoing
conflict. This conclusion also applies to differing views within a country, which could lead to a
civil war or even accumulate hatred for one another. In the context of recent political events in
the United States, the examination of Donald Trump's political career and the Capitol Hill riot of
2021 unveils significant patterns of continuity and change, shedding light on the evolving nature
of American democracy.
Since the origin of the formation of two political parties in the United States, there have
been differing views amongst each other. It posed a threat to the U.S. government as it could lead
to more conflict. Despite this, according to Ragosta (2020), the U.S. presidential election of
1800, in which Thomas Jefferson, a member of the Democratic-Republican party instead of the
Federalists, was elected the nation’s third president. This resulted in the first peaceful transfer of
power from one political party to another in United States history. Eventually, the two political
parties, now modernly known as the Democrats and Republicans, will clash, as shown in the
events of Capitol Hill and the Bush v. Gore cases. The two significant events had led to the
The polarization between the two major political parties in the United States represents
historical continuity, with roots reaching back to the U.S. Civil War. This war was a conflict
ignited by deep-seated ideological differences over slavery. The historic divide between the
Union in the North and the Confederacy in the South exemplifies the challenges of finding
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 11
common ground when the fundamental values of the country are at stake. Fast forward to the
present day, the Capitol Hill incident serves as an important reminder of this enduring hostility.
While showcasing the refusal to accept the outcome of a democratic election, it is also rooted in
partisan loyalties that led to an unprecedented attack on the Capitol. Donald Trump's call to
disrupt the confirmation of a new president accumulates distrust in one another, mirroring
historical moments when political differences escalated into severe crises. Despite occurring 160
years apart, these events reveal a persistent pattern of continuity in the challenges posed by
extreme political polarization. It threatens the unity of the nation and highlights the ongoing
Another pattern of continuity would be presidential power and party influence. This
ongoing issue is evident in pivotal events such as the Capitol Hill incident, the Watergate
scandal, and the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court decision. The Capitol Hill riot of 2021 exemplifies
the influence a sitting president can wield over party followers, as seen in Donald Trump's efforts
to compromise the electoral process and incite his supporters to disrupt the confirmation of a
new president. This relates to the Watergate scandal of the 1970s, when President Richard
Nixon's abuse of power and attempts to cover up illegal activities during his presidency
highlighted the dangers of unchecked executive authority. Moreover, the Bush v. Gore decision
in 2000, where the Supreme Court played a decisive role in resolving election disputes, depicts
the similar struggle between the branches of government and the impact of these power
dynamics on the democratic process. These events collectively portrayed a persistent pattern of
continuity in the balance between presidential authority and party interests in American politics.
Along with the continuity of issues, there is room for change as well. The Capitol Hill
riot in 2021, the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, and the Bush v. Gore case in 2000 all triggered
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 12
significant changes in public perception. Following the Capitol Hill riot, there was widespread
political violence, leading to a bipartisan call for accountability and increased security measures.
This event reshaped public awareness, particularly regarding the potential threats posed to
American political parties, and amplified concerns about disinformation on social media
platforms. However, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, public trust in government
institutions changed. In the Shadow of Watergate: Legal, Political, and Cultural Implications by
Stanley Kutler provides a thorough exploration of the scandal and its profound impact on public
perception (Kutler, 1994). He stated that the Watergate opened up an opportunity for analyzing
political behavior, especially for those in power. These changes in public perception have
affected how people currently view politics. It creates a certain distrust in the leaders of the
United States, proposing questions about who to trust and who will actually keep their word.
Another change is in handling events involving presidents. The Capitol Hill riot led to a
president is perceived to impede the democratic process. However, the impeachment did not go
through, as the Senate had acquitted him of the charges. To keep in mind, however, the majority
voted in favor of impeachment; however their votes did not meet the two-thirds rule, allowing
him to be acquitted. This allowed Trump, in a way, to escape punishment. In contrast, the
Watergate scandal saw impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon. He had
turned in his resignation before facing a Senate trial, setting a precedent for recognizing
accountability amidst impending legal consequences. His Vice President, Gerald Ford, then took
his position, permitting Nixon to receive presidential pardon (Pardoning Nixon, n.d.). This is
relevant today as the Bush v. Gore case, dealing primarily with an electoral dispute, showcases
(POL) POLITICS AND POWER 13
court cases ending in the authorization of a recount of votes in Florida. Overall, these patterns
To conclude, Trump’s removal from ballots in states such as Colorado and Maine is
mainly due to the January 6 Capitol Hill Attack in 2021. His insurrection sparked a chain
reaction that gave way to different responses regarding his candidacy. It changed people’s
perceptions and took account of his credibility. In addition, the insurrection ban, which is
included in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, has never applied to a president, giving Trump an
advantage against the two states. It also polarized political parties and news networks, as seen in
media like Fox News and CNN. The Watergate scandal and the Bush v. Gore case can be
compared to the Capitol Hill incident because they challenged American democracy. Overall,
Trump’s removal from the ballot showcased themes of historical polarization of political parties,
presidential power, party influence, and public perception. Although this marks one of the first
cases in which a running presidential candidate gets removed from the ballot, it also depicts the
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