Ortega v. Arkhipov

Republic of Newport Supreme Court

Ortega v. Arkhipov was a landmark decision by the Newport Supreme Court which was ruled on June 26, 1931. The lawsuit ruled that the 8th amendment which let foreigners hold high ranking government jobs allowed foreigners to hold the Newport Presidency. The court ruling resulted in Vasili Arkhipov officially being instated as President Of Newport, making him the first foreigner to be the President of Newport

## Background

### Passing of the 8th Amendment

On June 15th, 1907, both President McClure and Vice President Daggers officially passed the 8th amendment which allowed foreigners to hold high ranking government positions. Many people opposed this law claiming that foreign influence would destroy the government and cause massive harm to the government system.

Daniel McClure defended the law claiming that it promotes inclusivity and would bring politicians together being able to work together with people from many different religions, nationalities and races. The amendment was used in full extent when Spanish politician and war hero, Javier Higuain was pointed as Vice President when Donald Daggers took over the presidency after Daniel McClure stepped down.

### Appointment Of Vasili Arkhipov

On January 7th, 1931, following an investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption against President Daggers, the senate was to hold an impeachment trial against Daggers. Donald Daggers resigned the next day, effective immediately. Vasili Arkhipov was to be appointed President of Newport and would become the first ever foreign Newport President, being born and raised in Russia.

The speaker of the Senate, Howard Ortega, opposed the appointment of Arkhipov. He blocked Arkhipov’s attempts to appoint senator, Warren Busch as the new Vice President. Ortega’s argument claimed that the 8th amendment did not apply to the position of President and that Vice President was the highest ranking position the amendment applied to, due to the position still being sanctioned by the President. Both Arkhipov and the majority of the Senate claimed that was not the case as the presidency was still sanctioned by the Senate, as shown in the Daggers impeachment attempt.

## Lawsuit

### Ortega Commission Argument

On January 10th, Howard Ortega went to the Election Commission and persuaded them to suspend the appointment and wait for a full review of the 8th amendment by the Senate. The Senate reviewed it the same day but no conclusive decision was made. Arkhipov spoke out against the suspension, saying to the Senate floor, “It is not the responsibility of the speaker to obstruct the powers and duties of the president.” The senate voted in favour of a second review of the amendment to take place 2 days later. However, the Election Commission filed an injunction against the speaker claiming a deadline had to be decided on before the review. On the 12th, the Supreme Court intervened and stopped the review, prompting Ortega to take the matter to the Supreme Court in the form of an official political lawsuit. The lawsuit officially passed the next day on the 13th.

The Ortega commission claimed that the original draft of the amendment had the presidency removed from the bill by the McClure cabinet so that the Vice Presidency would be the highest ranking position sanctioned under the amendment. In this precedent, the order of succession, outlined in the Senate Formation, 1905, the speaker of the Senate is third in succession to the presidency, making Ortega the successor to President Daggers. The Arkhipov Commission opposed these claims.

### Arkhipov Commission Argument

The Arkhipov Commission and former McClure cabinet members stated that no positions were specified in the final draft of the 8th amendment, which was validated by both the Supreme Court, and President McClure himself. Arkhipov claimed that he wouldn’t have been appointed Vice President in the first place if it meant he wouldn’t be the successor of the president left his position. President Daggers was asked by the Ortega Commission or give his statement, but the court ruled against the commissions request, claiming that they were trying to get a favourable answer.

The Supreme Court justices officially conducted their own review of the amendment to decide who was the rightful president. In section 24 of the amendment, the quote in line 6 read, “Any position sanctioned by the senate or above shall be open to individuals of any background, nationality or religion.” The Court reviewed wether the Presidency came under the sanction of the senate or not. The information needed was stated in the first draft of the original constitution, stating quote, “The people of the nation and of government position will have the power to remove the president if they feel their position is unconstitutional.”

## Ruling

The court ruled that the presidency was sanctioned by the senate meaning it did in fact fall under the 8th amendment. On June 26th, 1931, the court found in favour of Vasili Arkhipov, declaring him the official President, becoming the first president not to be born in Newport. The senate officially confirmed Warren Busch as Vasili Arkhipov’s Vice President.

On July 9th, Ortega resigned and officially left his political career. During the lawsuit, Arkhipov was paced under, Acting President, but he was made permanent President on the 27th. Vasili Arkhipov would be the longest serving President in Newport history, as the presidency did not have a set term limit. He would serve for 22 years, from 1931 to 1953. On June 17th, 1953, the case was officially archived, meaning the ruling could no longer be appealed by Ortega.

## After Lawsuit

Vasili Arkhipov handed the presidency over to Blakeblockertnt, and retired from his political career and to spend time with his family. He continued to endorse politicians after the presidency however. Warren Bush continued his political career until 1957, when he retired from his role as a senator. Warren Bush died on October 18th, 1959 from Sepsis at the age of 74. Vasili Arkhipov, currently aged 67, retired from public duties after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in November, 1959.

Ortega lived a quiet life after the lawsuit, with his political career over, he spent most of his time at his home with his wife. He and his wife divorced in 1947. He attempted a political comeback in 1951, but failed after he didn’t gain enough supporters. He was offered a job in President Blakeblockertnt’s cabinet, but he turned it down, preferring to continue his retirement. On December 2nd, 1954, Ortega suffered a massive stroke at his home. He passed away 16 days later on the 19th at The age of 82. The lawsuit is remembered as one that would change the course of Newport history forever.