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Supreme Court Upholds Ban on New Mexico Official Over Jan. 6 Insurrection

The decision solidifies lower court rulings, emphasizing the insurrection clause's applicability to state and local officials.

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In this 2022 photo, Couy Griffin stands outside the federal court in Washington, DC.
Trump supporters gather outside the U.S. Capitol building following a "Stop the Steal" rally on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. On March 18, the Supreme Court denied Couy Griffin's request to hear a case that would allow him to hold public office again.

Overview

  • The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Couy Griffin, a former New Mexico county commissioner, effectively upholding his ban from office due to his participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
  • Griffin, the first elected official removed under the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause, sought to challenge the decision based on arguments similar to those used by Donald Trump in a separate Supreme Court case.
  • The Court's refusal to take Griffin's case differentiates the treatment of state and local candidates from federal ones, underlining states' rights to enforce the insurrection clause.
  • Griffin was convicted in federal court for entering restricted Capitol grounds during the insurrection and previously received a 14-day prison sentence.
  • Following the Supreme Court's decision, Griffin publicly sought Donald Trump's consideration for a vice presidential run in 2024, questioning the applicability of his ban to federal offices.