Representatives Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) and Elise Stefanik (New York) on Tuesday introduced a resolution declaring that former President Trump “has not committed insurrection or rebellion against the United States.”
The one-page resolution, which has more than 60 Republican co-sponsors, is a coalition of groups across the country that accuses Trump of engaging in violence during the January 6, 2021 presidential election. It was filed in an effort to disqualify him from appearing on the presidential election ballot. , the attack on the Capitol.
The effort points to the language of the 14th Amendment, which removes people who commit rebellion from public office.
The Colorado Supreme Court in December removed Mr. Trump from the state’s Republican ballot, a decision the Supreme Court is expected to hand down on Thursday. Gates addressed the matter Tuesday at a press conference surrounded by more than a dozen co-sponsors.
“We are here today to authoritatively state that President Trump did not commit an insurrection, and we believe Congress has a unique role to play in making that declaration.” said Gates. “It is not the job of states, and especially not some bureaucrats in Colorado, to make this assessment and interfere with voters’ right to vote for the candidate of their choice.”
“Extreme Democrats will do everything in their power to prevent President Donald Trump from returning to the White House as he continues to maintain a commanding lead in the polls,” Stefanik said. Ta.
The non-binding resolution declares that it is the “feeling of the House of Representatives” that President Trump “has not committed an insurrection or insurrection against the United States or rendered aid or comfort to any enemy of the United States.” become.
In addition to Colorado, Trump was disqualified from voting in Maine. However, this decision has been put on hold pending a High Court ruling.
Trump’s candidacy is being challenged in at least 35 states, according to reports new york times.
Gaetz said he believes the resolution’s approval is “very useful legally.”
“If we’re going to be called victims and we’re going to say to Congress that this wasn’t a riot, I think that’s going to carry a lot of weight,” he added.
Gaetz said he has not received a commitment from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louis.) or other Republican leaders to bring the resolution to the floor for a vote, but he said Louisiana Republicans are willing to support Trump. hinted that it was close to.
“But I sat next to him on the Judiciary Committee for seven years, so I know his position very well,” Gaetz said.
The Florida Republican said he also spoke with President Trump about the initiative, and that Trump was “thrilled that so many members of Congress signed it.”
It’s not entirely clear whether the resolution will pass in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority, but it’s important to some House Republicans as Mr. Trump seeks again to win the party’s nomination in 2024. can be a tough decision.
Of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, only two are still serving in the House: Dan Newhouse (Washington State) and David Valadao (California). The remaining eight lost re-election or retired from office.
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