October Term 2023 · Docket 23-719
Can a state bar a former president from the ballot?
A former president claims a state cannot remove him from the ballot. The state argues the Constitution allows this removal.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
The former president's lawyer argued the state court decision was wrong. He claimed the events were a riot, not an insurrection.
The state's lawyer argued the former president incited violence. He stated the attack disrupted the transfer of power.
Justice Sotomayor questioned the definition of self-executing provisions. She asked if states can provide causes of action.
Justice Thomas asked the advocate to address the self-executing nature of the clause. He noted the advocate spent little time on this point.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 123, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 123, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 124, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 124, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 57-9 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 57-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-55 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 57-17 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 57-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-35 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-43
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the power of states to enforce the Fourteenth Amendment. It asks if a state can disqualify a former president from office.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 123, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 123, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-55
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 8, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 124, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 124, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 31-37
What each side wants
The former president wants the state court action undone. He seeks to appear on the ballot.
The state wants to keep the former president off the ballot. It seeks to enforce its court action.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 123, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 123, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-55
What each side says
The former president argues the state lacks power to remove him. He claims the events did not meet the legal definition of insurrection.
The state argues the Constitution allows it to act. It claims the former president incited a violent attack on the Capitol.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 123, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 123, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-55
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if states can create legal remedies for constitutional breaches.
Justice Thomas asked the advocate to explain if the provision is self-executing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 124, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 124, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 57-9 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 57-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-55 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 57-17 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 57-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-35 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-43
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of state power over federal candidates. It shapes how states enforce constitutional oaths. It affects the integrity of the electoral process.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 123, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 123, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-55
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 124, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 124, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 128, lines 57-9 — Transcript, file page 128, lines 57-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-55 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 57-17 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 57-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-23 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-31 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 53-35 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 53-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-43
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 123, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 123, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 123, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 123, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 43-31 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 43-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-55 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-55
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.