Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.) Could run for election after Joint Judge Charles Bodro and Secretary of State Brad Rafensperger issued a joint statement on Friday. (R) Against the backdrop of a legal challenge posed by Green’s attempt to help reverse the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Bodro was indicted by the administration in a case brought by some voters in Green County, a district northwest of Atlanta. But Rafensperger said the last word on his authority under the 14th Amendment, which prohibits anyone who took part in an uprising against the government from serving in Congress.
“Proponents of his case have worked to make the actual transcript of this statement available online.”
He later wrote in a document that opponents had made “decent efforts” to substantiate the conclusion that Rep. “Green is a rebel,” he said, adding, “There is no evidence and the court is not convinced.” (Because he could not say whether Greene was involved in the riot, Bodro declined to say whether he agreed that the event was technically a “riot” as defined in amendment 14.)
Raffensperger agreed with the judge. Recognizing how unique the case is, he wrote that “the challenges of typical candidates … raise questions about the candidate’s residence or whether they have already paid all taxes.”
Green responded to the news via Twitter.
“Justified,” he said writeAlthough there are no criminal cases.
Free Speech for People, a non-profit organization representing voters opposed to Green, said Friday that their lawyers plan to appeal the decision to the Georgia Supreme Court.
“This decision violates the primary purpose of the 14th Amendment disqualification clause and allows for political violence as a tool to stop and eliminate free and fair elections,” the group said. declaration.
Greene testified for more than three hours at the hearing on April 22, saying he had little recollection of the cause of the disturbance. However, several social media videos and news interviews played in court showed that he was arguing that it was President Donald Trump who actually won the 2020 election and should stay in power. He repeatedly supported the Trump rally, which took place shortly before the uprising.
The “Save America” rally is Trump’s latest attempt to undo Joe Biden’s election victory. He then urged Vice President Mike Pence to stop the formal Congressional certification process because it is overseen by the Vice President. However, the duty is more solemn, and legal experts agree that the vice president has no right to intervene.
The burden of proof rests entirely on the freedom of speech of the people and of the five Georgian voters who oppose Green. Their claim is based on the provisions of the 14th Amendment, which came into force after the Civil War, amid concerns that Confederate supporters would be sent to serve Washington and weaken the country they oppose.
Green was not accused of taking an active part in the Capitol uprising because he was among members of Congress who were evacuated from the building when he was ousted by Trump supporters. Instead, he was accused of igniting what is widely called an attempted uprising.
“It’s true that Green never attacked the police himself, but during the civil war, Confederate President Jefferson Davis never fired a gun,” the nonprofit said in a statement. “The Rebels Squalification section case law is clear that any voluntary assistance to the rebels is disqualification, and the evidence presented in this case leaves no serious doubt that Green witnessed the rally of the violent extremist for this purpose, as he acknowledged in the video. To prevent a peaceful transfer of power ».
On January 5, 2021, the newly elected congressman told his Facebook followers that the next day should be another “1776”. Some Capitol Rebels Even Dressed Come In “1776” Attire; The year of establishment is used by some far right to indicate a violent uprising against government leaders that they do not support.
During his testimony, Green denied the call for violence in 1776. He said it was “brave” to stand up for the election results.
According to Bodro, the commentary in 1776 was harsh political rhetoric and an encouragement to protest, but it was not “a call to arms to end a pre -planned violent revolution”.
Green denied or said he did not recall a long list of other allegations, including whether he discussed the state of the war with Trump or his then chief of staff, Mark Meadows. CNN’s text message reported this A few days after the hearing, it was revealed that Green had sent a message to Meadows about this possibility, saying on Jan. 17, 2021 that “different [other members of Congress] It is said that the only way to save our republic is to call Trump Marshall [sic] The law. “Four days later, Biden took the oath.
With Georgia’s fast -approaching May 24 primary, Greene’s name is likely to appear on the ballot; In case of disqualification, the voter shall be informed that no vote will be counted for him.
Read the decision below.
Source: Huffpost