House Democrats threaten to withhold certification of the Electoral College votes if former President Trump is elected in November, The Atlantic reported. The argument comes as the Supreme Court hears the Colorado case for removing the former president's name from the 2024 presidential ballot.
Voters in Colorado attempted to bar Trump from being included on the ballot due to his role in the so-called "insurrection" on Jan. 6, 2021. Ironically, their threat to deny certification is precisely what they say the rioters were trying to do that day.
The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments about whether the state has the right to make such a decision. However, the justices have hinted that they're not keen on one state having the power to kick Trump out of the race.
Jason Murray, an attorney representing the voters who wished to keep Trump's name off the Colorado ballot, warned that the problem "could come back with a vengeance" during the certification process. If so, it may lead to a constitutional crisis and chaos.
The high court is examining whether the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits candidates who "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" from serving in government, applies to Trump. If the court decides he's eligible, it would be up to Congress to act.
Democrats believe they may retake the House of Representatives after a New York special election went their way. This would put them in charge of certifying the votes on Jan. 6, 2025, and would create a second certification showdown if Trump wins.
Either they would have to rubberstamp the election of a man they believe is ineligible to hold office or defy the will of the voters in refusing to certify the results, risking another uprising. "That would be a colossal disaster," Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said.
"We already had one horrendous January 6. We don’t need another," Schiff added. However, even those who believe Trump is guilty of insurrection say they won't contest the results.
"I would not object out of protest of how the Supreme Court comes down. It would be doing what I didn’t like about the January 6 Republicans," Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) said.
Democrats have a history of objecting to certifying every Republican president elected since 2000. Still, they have used the Jan. 6, 2021, unrest as a club against Republicans who stood by Trump, including 147 who voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Now, they may be in a position to do exactly what they spent every day since Jan. 6, 2021, smearing the GOP over. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) warned that there would be "blood all over the Capitol" if they tried it this time.
Another option would be passing a new law well before the election to keep Trump out of office. However, the House and Senate would have to enact legislation that defined "insurrection" and how it applied to barring a president-elect under the Fourteenth Amendment.
That's a long shot as it is because of the balance of power between the parties, but the real risk is the effect it would have on the nation if it does succeed. Many experts believe there's a possibility of civil unrest and violence if any side tinkers with the election outcome.
Democrats are so eager to keep Trump out of the White House that they're not exactly picky about how they go about it. Just about every option will undermine the confidence of the electorate, but they are desperate.
