Rift Between Cardano Founder and Ripple CTO Over Trump Ballot Removal
Following the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot under the United States Constitution’s insurrection clause, a heated debate ensued between Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson and Ripple’s CTO David Schwartz.
Hoskinson accused the judges of being biased against Trump, stating that they are willing to abandon the principle of innocent until proven guilty to keep him out of office. He argued that this ruling sets a dangerous precedent where punishment is prioritized over due process.
Ripple CTO Challenges Hoskinson’s Views
In response, Schwartz pointed out that someone cannot be convicted of something that is not a crime. He also highlighted that the 14th Amendment does not require a conviction to trigger the eligibility bar for public office. Therefore, he disagreed with Hoskinson’s argument that conviction is necessary before disqualification.
Hoskinson countered by explaining that the amendment was intended for individuals who joined the Confederacy and that due process is fundamental. He emphasized that punishment should follow law enforcement actions against insurrection rather than precede them.
Continued Disagreement
Schwartz dismissed Hoskinson’s reasoning as “complete and utter garbage.” He argued that governments can impose penalties without criminal convictions and used the example of denying a driver’s license for failing an eye test. He maintained that there are legitimate arguments against the court ruling but Hoskinson’s argument was not one of them.
Hoskinson stood by his position, stating that the burden of proof lies with the government to disqualify an individual and there is an established process for this. He suggested that once Trump is convicted of crimes, it would be appropriate for Colorado courts to consider those convictions in light of the 14th Amendment.
Hot Take: Ideological Divide in the Crypto Community
The clash between Hoskinson and Schwartz highlights the ideological divide within the crypto community. Their disagreement extends beyond this particular issue, as Hoskinson has been critical of Ripple and the XRP token in the past. This clash of perspectives demonstrates how differing views on legal matters can spark debates among industry leaders.
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