Arizona GOP move to exempt Trump, and other presidential nominees, from 14th Amendment
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On a party-line vote, the Arizona Senate passed a measure (SB 1158) that would protect a presidential nominee of any recognized political party from being excluded or removed from the general election ballot if accused of violating the 14th Amendment.
That Constitutional amendment bars federal office to anyone who has "engaged in insurrection'' against the federal government or "given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.''
Republican proponents of the bill, like state Sen. Janae Shamp, say this is about fairness.
"This is currently happening in Colorado to Donald J. Trump. But it very well could happen in the state of Arizona against any other presidential candidate as well," Shamp said.
Courts have not yet decided whether Trump violated the 14th Amendment, but Democratic state Sen. Priya Sundareshan says that’s irrelevant. She says this bill is trying to override the Constitution.
The bill now heads to the House.
