Two historians argue that the 14th amendment disqualifies Trump from the ballot

For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with historians Jill Lepore and David Blight.

Lepore and Blight have submitted a friend of the court brief to the Supreme Court ahead of oral arguments on whether former President Donald Trump should remain on the Colorado ballot.

Colorado's Supreme Court said Trump is not qualified for the presidency under the Constitution's 14th Amendment. Section 3 of that amendment says you can't serve in federal office if you once took an oath to support the United States and then engaged in an insurrection or rebellion.

Both Lepore and Blight argue that Section three of the 14th amendment disqualifies Trump from serving again as president.

Topics include:
- Historical context of the 14th amendment
- Historical intention of section three
- What does it mean to have 'engaged in insurrection'
- Interpreting the Constitution

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