Appeals Court Revives ‘Insurrection’ Challenge to Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s Candidacy

4th Circuit rules 14th Amendment can be used to block Jan. 6 participants from seeking office

In this screenshot from the RNC’s live stream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, North Carolina congressional nominee Madison Cawthorn addresses the virtual convention on Aug. 26, 2020. Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images

A federal appeals court greenlighted an effort to disqualify GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn as a candidate for allegedly engaging in insurrectionary activity by attending and speaking at the Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally that was followed by a security breach of the U.S. Capitol.

The incident, characterized by Democrats and some Republicans as an insurrection, delayed the congressional certification of Joe Biden’s election as president by several hours.