Democrats demand the 25th Amendment, but the catch might just blow up in their faces
After threatening the total destruction of Iran, House Democrats have come forward online demanding that the 25th Amendment be invoked against President Donald Trump. If this happens, Trump may be removed from office—but it wouldn’t be as simple as it appears.
Before an agreement with Iran for a ceasefire, Trump put out a bombshell threat against the country. He wrote on social media, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” Thankfully, the threat has been quelled with the announcement of an agreement between Iran and the United States. However, Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric isn’t something that could be easily ignored.
Rep. Ro Khanna from California is a vocal critic of Trump. He called on Congress to advocate for the 25th Amendment on a social media post. The congressman said on X, “If the United States Congress has any life left in it, every member of Congress and senator must be calling for Trump’s removal today based on the 25th Amendment. He is threatening the entire destruction of a civilization. He is calling Iranians animals, he is showing a total disregard for the humanity of people in Iran, in Gaza, in Cuba. This is a moral crime, a war crime.”
Rep. Stansbury from New Mexico also denounced Trump. She said, “Just because a President announces he’s agreed to a two week ceasefire moments before he threatened to commit war crimes, does not mean he is suddenly fit to serve.” Like Khanna, she also cited the 25th Amendment.
There is no question that Trump’s words are dangerous—as the president of the United States, they carry significant weight. His words can be policy or shift international norms. But what can the 25th Amendment do in the face of Trump?
25th Amendment to remove Trump from office
According to Section I of the 25th Amendment, in the case of death or disability of the president, the vice president of the United States shall become the president. Section IV also notes that the majority of the president’s cabinet and the vice president can deem the president “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” Essentially, his vice president and cabinet can submit that Trump is incapable of fulfilling his duties as president. The declaration would then be transmitted to the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore. But Trump wouldn’t be removed just then.
He could also challenge the claim by submitting his own declaration saying that he is able to assume office. If his vice president and cabinet challenge the president’s claim four days after submission, only then would the matter be considered by Congress. If two-thirds of both Houses deem the president unfit for office, then the vice president will continue as acting president.
But this is precisely the limitation of Congress in the matter. Vice President JD Vance is unlikely to spring up against Trump. Loyalties aside, there is far more value in Vance riding Trump’s coattails than flipping over at the moment. They are still allied, and there is no evident rift between the Trump-Vance alliance. Additionally, Trump’s handpicked cabinet has practically sworn fealty to him.
Not only do they literally sing him praises, it would be gravely unstrategic for them to throw their patron under the bus. Vance may be their ally, but Trump placed them in the key positions where they sit comfortably in.
To throw Trump out of office, Democrats can’t just tweet about the 25th Amendment. They need to file a solid impeachment case.
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