Latest Breaking News
In reply to the discussion: Co-founder of American Conservative group demands Vance use 25th Amendment to remove Trump [View all]onenote
(46,135 posts)It would be easier to impeach.
The steps for invoking the 25th: The VP and a majority of the "principal officers of the executive departments," transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.
At that point, the VP temporarily assumes the office of president.
Trump then can, at any point in time thereafter, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, at which point he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.
If it reaches that stage, it falls upon Congress shall decide the issue, being required within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
The most obvious problem is getting a majority of Trump's cabinet to turn on him. Without doubt, if such an effort was undertaken, there would be members of the cabinet who would not support it and word of the effort would get back to Trump, who could then fire any cabinet member he thinks was ready to move against him, ensuring that only loyalists remained.
And even if he fails to stop a majority from moving against him, Trump would push back with his own declaration, and it would take a 2/3 majority of both the House and Senate to keep him from returning to power. And the idea that there would be enough Repub. members of Congress prepared to go up against him -- and face the wrath of his supporters -- seems highly unlikely at least at this point.