Former President Donald Trump has made a controversial proposal to revise the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which deals with presidential succession. Trump’s suggestion, made during a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, would enable the impeachment of a vice president suspected of concealing a president’s inability to perform their duties. This proposal has drawn significant attention and sparked debate, highlighting the ongoing political tensions in the United States.
Trump’s proposal is rooted in his continued criticisms of President Joe Biden, with he and his supporters questioning Biden’s mental fitness for office. They have also accused Vice President Kamala Harris of deliberately concealing this alleged incapacity.
The 25th Amendment, in its current form, lays out the line of succession if the president dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated, with the vice president taking over the presidency. Trump’s proposed amendment, however, would introduce a new element, allowing for the immediate impeachment and removal of a vice president who is deemed to have “lied or engaged in a conspiracy to cover up the incapacity of the president of the United States.”
This suggestion echoes previous attempts to remove Trump from office. Following the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, some members of Trump’s Cabinet considered invoking the 25th Amendment to oust him.
Trump’s proposal has raised questions about its potential impact on the U.S. presidency and the role of the vice president. While the 25th Amendment aims to ensure a smooth transition of power, adding a provision for the impeachment of a vice president could introduce complexities and potential instability. It remains unclear how this proposal will be received by lawmakers and the public, and its eventual fate is uncertain.
