Several senior House Democrats are signaling that they may refuse to certify the results of the 2024 election if former President Donald Trump emerges victorious, according to reports from The Atlantic. The potential move comes amid ongoing legal debates regarding Trump’s eligibility, particularly under the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban.”
The Supreme Court recently considered a case involving a Colorado ruling that deemed Trump ineligible for the ballot, but the justices did not provide a clear indication of their stance on the matter. While the court did not appear convinced that a single state could disqualify a candidate, it remains uncertain whether they will directly address Trump’s eligibility.
Despite previous criticism of Republicans who challenged the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020, some senior Democrats have left the door open to the possibility of not certifying a Trump victory in 2024 if the Supreme Court fails to offer a definitive ruling on his eligibility.
Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren of California expressed the belief that Trump is “clearly ineligible,” but she acknowledged the lack of a clear procedure for challenging eligibility. Lofgren indicated that she might be among those who would seek to disqualify him.
Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina referred to Trump as “an insurrectionist.” Representative Adam Schiff of California, while stating that he would not object if the Supreme Court deems Trump eligible, refrained from speculating on the hypothetical scenario of the court refusing to address the issue.
Representative Eric Swalwell of California emphasized his commitment to following the law and avoiding objections as a form of protest, drawing parallels with the actions of Republicans on January 6, 2020.
The attorney representing Colorado during oral arguments, Jason Murray, suggested that the issue might resurface in Congress if the Supreme Court does not provide a clear determination. He mentioned that Congress might have to make the determination about Trump’s eligibility and the counting of votes under the Electoral Count Reform Act if the court does not address the matter conclusively.
