As the U.S. Congress prepares to certify the presidential election results, a significant protest is set to take place near the Capitol aimed at preventing the confirmation of Donald Trump as President-elect.
The Washington Examiner reported that a group of leftist protesters are planning a three-day event to urge Congress to reject Trump's certification, utilizing the "14th Now" slogan linked to the 14th Amendment.
The event, dubbed "14th Now," references the third section of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding office.
This constitutional provision is the cornerstone of the protesters' argument against Trump, who secured 312 electoral votes and popular support to become the President-elect.
Earlier in the year, the Supreme Court concluded that Trump did not violate the 14th Amendment during the events of January 6, 2021. Despite this ruling, leftists plan to disrupt the certification of the election and install Vice President Kamala Harris.
The series of rallies will occur on each day leading up to the certification scheduled for January 6. Protest locations are strategically chosen for maximum visibility and impact, starting from the southwest side of Union Station, progressing to the steps of the Supreme Court, and culminating in the area between the Capitol and the Supreme Court.
The irony of this is palpable as these plans mirror the "stop the steal" protests that occurred four years ago leading to the riot at the Capitol.
Leaders of the protest seek to disrupt the routine certification process by advocating that Congress should instead verify the election results in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris, despite her winning fewer votes than Trump in 45 states and Washington, D.C.
This is objectively a plan to overturn the democratic results of the November election, exactly what Democrats accused Trump of doing after the 2020 election.
Protesters are deploying various tactics to make their voice heard, including distributing downloadable signs with messages urging Congress to act against what they describe as "a disqualified, adjudicated insurrectionist."
As the date of the certification vote approaches, tension within Congress is palpable, with Democratic lawmakers caught between their radical constituents and the prospect of repeating exactly what they prosecuted Trump for.
The outcome of these protests, and whether they will sway any congressional votes, remains uncertain. Yet, the determination of the "14th Now" group could lead to a riot similar to four years ago that would have devastating consequences for Democrats.
As the protests unsettle the usual calm of Capitol Hill's bureaucratic rhythms, their real test will be in their ability to leave a lasting impact on the legislative process and public opinion regarding constitutional governance and electoral integrity.
As demonstrators gather this weekend, their actions could set important precedents for how electoral disputes and constitutional debates are handled in the future. With democracy itself under scrutiny, the "14th Now" protest represents a critical juncture in the ongoing narrative of American political history.
The expected large turnout, combined with the strategic location of the protests, underscores the significance of this moment not just for the immediate electoral outcome but for the health and vitality of the democratic system in the United States.