Donald Trump tells court he had no duty to ‘support’ the US Constitution

HLMenckenFan@lemmy.world to News@lemmy.world – 998 points –
Donald Trump tells court he had no duty to ‘support’ the US Constitution
the-independent.com
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I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

The argument is that the word "support" isn't explicitly there. Therefore, the President is not an officer of the government, and therefore Trump isn't barred from being President under the 14th Amendment.

This argument is dumb, of course. Scalia once made a similar one, noting that punishments must be cruel and unusual to be constitutionally banned. Cruel or unusual on their own is fine.

Wait, that’s their actual argument? For real?

… 😂

Mood image.

Why stop at that word? Why not complain that every synonym for every word isn’t included? Just turn the whole thing into a thesaurus? (eta: like, the insurrection act doesn’t apply because you’re calling it a coup! Totally different word! I said I killed that guy, but the statute says ‘murder’ not ‘kill’. Checkmate atheists!)

Every time I think they’ve hit maximum daft, they climb back in the hole and dig up some more. Amazing.

I thought it was absurd when they claimed it in an interview. To actually argue it in court is just. Fucking lmao

Just wondering what kind of cruelty would have to be added to this unusual punishment to qualify as illegal.

being locked in stocks while fulfilling the punishment would be the cruelty part

I’m totally down for locking Trump in stocks on the National Mall as part of his punishment. Sounds like a good idea.

Ah, but see, the word ‘support’ is not explicitly in there so ch-ch-cha! Pocket sand!

From all enemies, foreign and domestic.

But what if the enemy is the one swearing th oath?

Its one of those 'If not one then the other' things.

If you aren't foreign, you are domestic. If you aren't domestic, you are foreign.

There are dual citizens, in which case the enemy is foreign and domestic.

"For the 'right' people"

-D. J. D. (In his head)

Edit: "Not the poors, the stupid losers"

Again, D. J. D. (Out loud when talking about the military or working people)