Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is pushing to absolve Donald Trump of any blame for the Jan. 6 riot as some states seek to use the Capitol attack to keep the former president off the 2024 ballot.
Gaetz introduced a resolution on Tuesday that would “clarify the stance of the House of Representatives” to declare Trump “did not participate in actions that would bar him from again holding public office.” The resolution would expressly assert that Trump did not “engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.”
“We believe Congress has a unique role in making that declaration,” Gaetz said. “It’s not the job of the states, and especially not the job of some Democrats in Colorado, to make this assessment and interfere with the rights of voters cast their vote for the candidate of their choice.”
The resolution is a response to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove Trump from the presidential ballot, citing the 14th Amendment, which seeks to bar candidates from holding office if they “have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the [U.S.], or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.” A similar ruling was made just one week later by Maine’s secretary of state.
The decision prompted an outcry from national Republicans, who denounced the move as “election interference.” The Republican National Committee, in conjunction with the National Republican Congressional Committee, the main fundraising arm for House Republicans, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, which later agreed to take up the case.
The Supreme Court’s decision could have major implications for other states seeking to block the former president from consideration.
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“[Those] who often get on television and talk about securing democracy seem to be the first to want to then remove a candidate from the ballot because they are afraid,” Gaetz said.
It’s not yet clear when the legislation will come up for a vote in the House, but it’s likely to push some lawmakers into a corner. Shortly after the Jan. 6 riot, several Republicans joined Democrats in decrying the attack — with some even tying Trump to the violence. However, some have since backed away from that rhetoric, with this resolution putting lawmakers on the record about where they stand ahead of the 2024 election.
However, the resolution already has widespread support among House Republicans, with more than 60 GOP lawmakers cosponsoring the legislation. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) is set to introduce the same resolution in the Senate.
