• QuaternionsRock@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    The legislative branch positions that are singled out exclusively are to highlight that these are also included, as if they only said civil or military offices,

    That would be the definition of “superfluous”, and that isn’t how legal texts are written.

    it could be implied that the amendment would only apply to the executive branch and judicial branch.

    I’m not sure it’s wise to bar anyone from becoming President on the basis of something that “could be implied”. The fact that Senators and Representatives are mentioned explicitly is contrary evidence, not supporting evidence. there are about a million other, better, clearer ways the drafters could have phrased it if they intended to include the Presidency.

    It’s unfortunate that people around here don’t seem to recognize the exacting standard to which legal texts are—and in most cases should be—held. I was sincerely hoping he would be barred from the Presidency on these grounds, but I’m not surprised that he wasn’t. I support the dynamic interpretation of laws in our current political climate (originalists and such are morons), but let’s not forget the need for it only arises from the endless failures of the legislature.