John — By now, you've undoubtedly heard the news about Donald Trump's latest indictment. Please take a moment to read the email I sent last night on how Inequality Media Civic Action is responding in this precarious moment for our democracy. — Robert Reich

Dear John,

Minutes ago, a grand jury officially indicted Donald Trump on four felony counts related to his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

These are the most serious charges against Trump yet, but the reality is that these charges will only boost Trump in the Republican primary.

And if he wins, we already know what’s coming: He will immediately order his attorney general to drop the charges against him, and then he will pick right up where he left off on January 6, tearing down the fundamental structure of American democracy.

Trump may well be convicted, but election officials do not need to wait for that to disqualify him from running.

The Constitution sets the rules for who can and can’t serve as president, and the 14th Amendment explicitly prohibits elected officials who have engaged in insurrection from running for president or serving in any other public office. So we’re launching a major effort to educate the public and urge state election officials to enforce the 14th Amendment and disqualify Donald Trump from the ballot.

Will you make a donation to help educate the public and urge state officials to keep Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot?

This is now the third time in four months that Trump has been indicted, but it likely won't be the last. The latest charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy against the rights of citizens, and obstruction of an official proceeding. If convicted on the charges included in today's indictment, Trump faces up to 30 years in prison.

But perhaps more importantly for the future of our democracy, these charges clearly show that Trump is disqualified from running for president under the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause — and state and local election officials have the authority right now to bar him from running.

If you’re under 35 or not a natural born U.S. citizen, election officials won’t put you on the ballot. They don't need a jury to determine your age or citizenship. Trump incited an insurrection in plain sight, on TV and on Twitter.

In fact, a New Mexico judge removed a county commissioner who participated in the January 6 insurrection from his office and banned him from running again in the future.

The problem is that the corporate media continue to act like the 14th Amendment either doesn’t exist or is some fringe left-wing idea, so most Americans have no idea that insurrectionists are explicitly banned from holding office.

With filing deadlines for 2024 presidential candidates approaching in the next six months, we don’t have much time. Will you make a donation to help support this vital educational effort?

Yes, I’ll make a donation to educate the public and call on election officials to apply the 14th Amendment and keep Donald Trump off the 2024 presidential ballot.

Thanks for joining with us in the fight for democracy,

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action