The 14th Amendment and other legal problems of Donald Trump

When it rains, it really pours. Donald Trump is facing no less than four criminal indictments that include more than 100 felony charges. And now this Colorado Supreme Court decision to disqualify him from the state primary ballot. Then the State of Maine follows. There are a number of others preparing to do likewise.

The Donald Trump campaign is being run on the assumption that he will be the Republican Party nominee to have a return bout in the US presidential polls. Well, this sense of optimism is now being dampened by these many legal headaches that could distract their focus and put them away from the campaign trail. Financial resources will definitely be diverted to law firms fighting these fires. To make matters worse, the American economy is looking very strong. Crime is down. Unemployment is down. It seems that fortune favors the incumbent president, Joe Biden.

The biggest headache putting pressure on the Trump campaign is the Colorado Supreme Court decision. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment provides: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any

State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability."

The Colorado court held that the 14th Amendment disqualified Trump because he is an officer, in fact, the highest official of the land. He has taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States. His role in the January 6, 2021 siege against the US Capitol, according to the Colorado High Court, was an insurrection. Therefore, being an insurrectionist, Trump is disqualified. Of course, the US Supreme Court can reverse the Colorado ruling. But chances are it could also affirm it. Apart from these huge predicaments, Trump faces more than a hundred felony charges consolidated in four criminal indictments.

In March 2023, Trump was indicted in New York which covered 34 criminal charges of allegedly falsifying business records. Trial is scheduled for March 25 this year. In June last year, Trump was slapped with federal charges in Florida consisting of 40 criminal charges of mishandling highly-sensitive documents as well as conspiracy to obstruct the recovery of said documents. Trial will be this May 20. In August 2023, Trump faced a federal indictment in Washington for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 elections. Also, four criminal charges for attempting to defraud the government and to disenfranchise the voters and obstruct official proceedings. Trial will be this March 4. In August 2023, another indictment in Georgia covering 13 criminal charges for trying to overturn Biden's victory in that state. Trial date is still unannounced.

Instead of being on the campaign trail, Trump will be kept busy meeting with his defense counsels and reviewing voluminous documents. Worse, the American voters may most likely think of not wasting their votes on a candidate who may be ultimately disqualified by the Supreme Court or convicted by any or all the courts handling all his multiple indictments and charges. All the breaks seem to be in favor of President Joe Biden. Well, he is not a threat to democracy and is a good friend of the Philippines.

"All the breaks seem to be in favor of President Joe Biden."