A federal appeals court has paved a way that could disqualify North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn from running for future office.

The ruling by the three-judge panel could lead to Cawthorn being ruled an insurrectionist over his actions regarding Jan. 6.

NEW: Appeals court clears way for bid to disqualify Cawthorn as “insurrectionist” https://t.co/JxrjzjTxds pic.twitter.com/jhlSammiFF

— The Hill (@thehill) May 24, 2022

“We hold only that the 1872 Amnesty Act does not categorically exempt all future rebels and insurrectionists from the political disabilities that otherwise would be created by Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment,” Judge Toby Heytens, wrote.

Cawthorn lost his state’s primary battle last week, but the case proceeded as the winner has not yet been officially certified.

A constitutional prohibition against insurrectionists continuing to serve in public office remains live, a federal appeals court ruled today, rejecting Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s take on a post-Civil War amnesty law https://t.co/Qi1Q7jPEkN

— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) May 24, 2022

Cawthorn’s loss to state Sen. Chuck Edwards makes the issue less of a concern, but the effort shows the ongoing push to further punish those with any connection to Jan. 6.

Cawthorn’s problems have continued to increase, even after his primary loss, as the congressman seeks to finish out his term.