Trump's Constitution Claims on Harris's Nomination Raise Alarms Ahead of 2024 Election

Former President Donald Trump is raising concerns among critics by asserting that Vice President Kamala Harris's rise to become the Democratic nominee is potentially unconstitutional. Detractors warn that this may set the stage for Trump to dispute an electoral defeat, as he did in 2020.

Trump's Claims

Trump has been attempting to portray Harris's ascension as the Democratic nominee, replacing President Joe Biden, as nefarious. He has likened it to a "coup" and recently argued that it may be unconstitutional due to Harris's absence from the primary ballot. This has sparked unease among Democrats, Republicans critical of Trump, and political analysts.

Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton warned on CNN that Trump's rhetoric appears to be aimed at casting doubt on the November election results should Harris emerge victorious. Bolton emphasized the need to deny Trump the ability to disrupt the electoral process in case of a loss, citing Trump's history of blaming unfair treatment for his defeats.

Following Biden's announcement on July 21 not to seek reelection, Democrats quickly united behind Harris. She was officially certified as the party's nominee after delegate voting. However, Trump's discontent is apparent, as he has questioned the constitutionality of Democrats replacing Biden with Harris, especially in light of recent polling data.

Legal and Political Implications

Some Republicans had suggested that any attempt to replace Biden on the ballot could face legal challenges. However, experts opine that such efforts are likely to be dismissed in the courts. The Canton Repository reported on an Ohio man's lawsuit attempting to prevent Harris from replacing Biden on the ballot, but the Ohio secretary of state's office noted the deadline for nominating candidates is September 1.

Legal experts have indicated that Trump is alluding to the issue of voters casting ballots for Biden in the primary process and the absence of Biden on the general election ballot. However, they also highlighted the complexities of pursuing legal action in this condensed campaign timeline and the strict requirements for standing in federal courts.

Trump's rhetoric regarding the 2024 election is being closely monitored given his actions following the 2020 election. This includes his efforts to sow doubt about mail-in and absentee ballots' reliability, his repeated claims of election fraud, and the subsequent January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Trump's criminal charges stemming from his attempts to undermine the 2020 election also loom large.

Transfer of Power Concerns

During the 2024 cycle, Trump expressed that he would accept the election results if he deemed the election to be "honest." However, Biden, in his first interview since opting not to run for reelection, expressed skepticism about a peaceful transfer of power next January if Trump loses. This underscores the continuing concerns about the stability of the electoral process and the potential for political unrest.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Trump's rhetoric on the upcoming election and the transition of power remain a subject of intense scrutiny. The legal, political, and societal ramifications of these developments will shape the discourse leading up to the next presidential election.