insurrection

Insurrection refers to a violent uprising against the authority of a government or ruler. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2383, inciting, assisting, or engaging in rebellion or insurrection against the United States is a federal felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and disqualification from holding federal office. Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment separately bars anyone who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the United States from holding federal or state office, unless two-thirds of Congress votes to remove that disqualification. The events leading up to, and including, January 6, 2021 prompted criminal charges of seditious conspiracy and civil litigation invoking Section 3 against multiple participants, including Donald Trump.