Photo Licensed under Creative Commons 3.0
The 25th Amendment has recently come up in public media, after President Donald Trump’s strongly worded social media posts. The posts regard what will happen if Iranian leaders fail to meet the U.S.’s demands, like reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Several lawmakers around the U.S. have called for Trump’s removal from office. Yet, Trump is being called to be removed from office as these lawmakers are attempting to use a never used before section of the 25th Amendment.
History of the 25th Amendment
The 25th Amendment was ratified in 1967, two years after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The Amendment is split into four sections and explains what to do if the President is removed, dies or resigns from office. The first and second sections confirm the vice president would be the first to take office in case of a presidential office vacancy. In case this does happen, the president will nominate a Vice President who will take office by a majority vote of both the House and Congress.
The third and fourth sections focus on the process of removing the president from office based on inability or disability. Specifically, the third section allows the president to voluntarily transfer presidential power to the vice president temporarily. Only after a written declaration saying they are unable to fulfill the presidency’s powers and duties. Yet, the fourth section refers to forced discharge of power, as the president’s authority is temporarily stripped.
The fourth section has never been used before. Many members of the Republican Party like Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) want to use this to remove Trump. Along with former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I do not want that to happen, but it probably will.”
How the 25th Amendment Could be Used
The 25th Amendment can be used by or against any sitting president. Yet, it is a harder act to get passed, unlike impeachment. The majority of the acting Cabinet heads would need to sign. Along with the vice president to put Section Four into action and declare the president unfit for office.
“25TH AMENDMENT!!! Not a single bomb has dropped on America,” Greene posted on X. “We cannot kill an entire civilization. This is evil and madness.”
Lawmakers such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), along with at least 30 others have said the 25th Amendment needs to be used against Trump. Yet, none of the acting Cabinet heads or Vice President JD Vance have not suggested signing Section Four into action. Another way for the act to get signed is by a majority of an “other body” created by Congress. But, they would still need approval from the vice president.
“That is not who we are, and it is not consistent with the principles that have long guided America,” Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) said on X.
Other Senators and Representatives have continued to praise Trump for holding Iran accountable. Also, the official X account for Senate Republicans has posted several messages in support of Trump.
“Iran would be wise to take President Trump at his word. They can choose the easy way or the hard way,” the account posted on social media.
Even though many Representatives, Senators and lawmakers have spoken out against Trump, their voices are not enough for the 25th Amendment to be invoked. Even if Vance and other cabinet members were to sign a letter claiming that the president is unfit for office, the president can declare to Congress that no inability exists.
