A government watchdog group said that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Donald Trump was not a "win" for the former president.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) made a statement following the Supreme Court's 9-0 decision stating that Trump could not be removed from the ballot for insurrection.
"While the Supreme Court allowed Donald Trump back on the ballot on technical legal grounds, this was in no way a win for Trump," CREW President Noah Bookbinder said in the statement. "The Supreme Court had the opportunity in this case to exonerate Trump, and they chose not to do so."
Bookbinder noted that no decision-making body had exonerated Trump from allegations that he participated in an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
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"Every court – or decision-making body – that has substantively examined the issue has determined that January 6th was an insurrection and that Donald Trump incited it," Bookbinder said. "That remains true today. The Supreme Court removed an enforcement mechanism, and in letting Trump back on the ballot, they failed to meet the moment."
"But it is now clear that Trump led the January 6th insurrection, and it will be up to the American people to ensure accountability."
Various groups and individuals pushed to stop Trump from appearing on future ballots, citing the Constitution's 14th Amendment. This part of the U.S. Constitution prevents anyone who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the country from holding office.
Advocates for this move argued that Trump's actions, particularly related to the January 6 Capitol riot, should disqualify him from running for or holding any public office again.
These efforts sparked a significant legal and political debate, highlighting deep divides in American politics.
SCOTUS ruling on Monday stated that it was up to Congress to rule on if the 14th Amendment disqualified people from federal offices — particularly the presidency.
