14thamendment

The 14th Amendment is not something anyone has discussed much since the 1800s.

But right now it's the talk of the town.

It includes a post-civil war clause that bars anyone from holding public office if they've engaged in an insurrection or rebellion.

Right now, there are lawyers, academics and die-hard constitutionalists who are working out if there's a legal channel to remove Trump's name from any electoral ballot on the grounds he tried to overturn democracy on January 6th 2020. We speak to a Watergate special prosecutor about what could happen. And we look at the Republican move to launch an impeachment enquiry into Joe Biden. Do they have evidence of wrong doing?

Editor: Gabriel Radus

Social Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

Donald Trump has been criminally charged for the fourth time in a frenzied five months. Now he’s accused of trying to interfere with the result of the 2020 election in Georgia.

The Americast team stays up late into the Atlanta and Washington nights (while Justin mans the Radio 4 studio) to talk through what’s in the indictment – and why this one could be the most challenging yet for Trump.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

GUEST: • Josh McKoon, Georgia Republican Party chairman

GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast

Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg. The technical producer was Philip Bull and the editor was Sam Bonham.

BBC SOUNDS CHAPTERS: 02:45 – Instant reaction 15:19 - Sarah interviews Josh McKoon 24:06 – Listener question