Aiexpress – Norma Anderson always carries a copy of the US Constitution in her purse.
At the age of 91, she has dedicated her entire life to the study of the document. Her passion for understanding it has been evident throughout her career as a state legislator for the Republican Party and even in her leisure time, when she enjoys watching TV at home.
And she has a firm belief: Donald Trump, the controversial former president, should never be allowed to hold office again. As the lead plaintiff in the case that aimed to keep him off the ballot in Colorado, she is resolute in her stance.
“He violated the constitution and attempted to overthrow an election,” she tells AFP. “To me, this signifies that our democracy is at risk if he were to be re-elected.”
On January 6, 2021, as Trump supporters forcefully breached the US Capitol in an attempt to impede the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory, Anderson firmly grasped her dog-eared copy of the founding charter.
“I immediately returned to the text that evening and carefully read that specific portion,” she recalls, alluding to a clause that prohibits any elected official who has participated in insurrection from being eligible for public office once again.
Anderson was so convinced of the impact of Trump’s actions on January 6 that she actively participated in legal efforts to prevent him from being included on the presidential ballot in her home state of Colorado.
The state judges have ruled in her favor, stating that the upcoming Republican Party primary on March 5 cannot be contested by the former president.
The verdict was appealed by Trump’s legal team to the US Supreme Court, and a ruling is expected to be delivered by the nine justices any day now.
The outcome of that decision could have a significant impact on the trajectory of this year’s highly debated presidential election. Activists and lawyers are currently pursuing legal actions in multiple states, aiming to prevent the controversial former reality TV star from assuming office.
– ‘Hope’ –
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution is currently under scrutiny due to its significant and widespread impact on America’s governing document.
The 1868 amendment, passed after the US Civil War, addresses various matters, including those pertaining to due process and citizenship.
However, it also prevents individuals who have previously taken an oath to uphold the constitution from holding public office if they have participated in acts of insurrection or rebellion against the United States.
According to Anderson and other plaintiffs involved in the case, the clause has been interpreted as a means to prevent former Confederate leaders from holding public office in the 19th Century. However, they argue that it also applies to Donald Trump.
During the oral arguments in the Supreme Court earlier this month, most of the justices expressed doubt regarding the justification for eliminating a well-liked candidate from the ballot.
Both conservative and liberal justices on the Supreme Court voiced apprehension regarding the authority of individual states to determine the eligibility of presidential candidates for the upcoming November election.
Anderson finds the idea amusing and reassures them not to be concerned.
“States are responsible for conducting elections, and it is not the federal government’s role to oversee them. Each state has the authority to manage its own elections and determine the candidates who appear on the ballot.”
According to the expert, the fact that a state decides to exclude a candidate from its ballot does not necessarily affect the actions that another state can take.
According to her, Democrats and Republicans are present on the ballot in every state. However, she argues that third party candidates often face difficulties in gaining ballot access in certain states.
“We should all be treated equal, so there is no inherent superiority of a Republican or Democrat over a third-party candidate.”
Anderson maintains a positive outlook despite the challenges she faces at the Supreme Court.
“I never lose hope until I hear the word ‘no’,” declares the pioneering woman who made history as Colorado’s first female majority leader in both the House and Senate.
– ‘Like Putin’ –
Anderson, a lifelong Republican, is appalled at the idea of Trump making a comeback in the White House.
She believes that he goes against the core values on which America was built.
“He behaves like a king or even a mirror image of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His actions and statements serve as undeniable evidence of this.”
She chuckles and says, “If our founding fathers were here, they wouldn’t have been too pleased with him. In fact, they might have even thrown him in jail.”
Ever since Anderson initiated her legal action, the Trump campaign has been depicting her as a RINO – Republican In Name Only.
Despite facing name-calling, she remains resilient and finds solace in the support she receives from people across the country.
In her perspective, regardless of whether the Supreme Court agrees with her, the legal challenge has been a triumph.
According to her, “We have definitely brought attention to the true nature of Trump. I am confident that we are doing the right thing.”
