Associated Press
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is questioning President Donald Trump’s fitness to serve, announcing legislation Thursday that would create a commission to allow Congress to intervene under the 25th Amendment to the Constitution and remove the president from executive duties.
Just weeks before the Nov. 3 election, Pelosi said Trump needs to disclose more about his health after his COVID-19 diagnosis. She raised the idea of invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows a president’s Cabinet or Congress to intervene when a president is unable to conduct the duties of the office.
On Friday, she planned to roll out the legislation that would launch the commission for review.
Trump responded swiftly via Twitter.
“Crazy Nancy is the one who should be under observation. They don’t call her Crazy for nothing!” the president said.
His opponents have discussed invoking the 25th Amendment for some time, but are raising it now, so close to Election Day, as questions swirl about the president’s health. Trump says he “feels great” after being hospitalized and is back at work in the White House. But his doctors have given mixed signals about his diagnosis and treatment. Trump plans to resume campaigning soon.
Congress is not in legislative session, and so any serious consideration of the measure, let alone votes in the House or Senate, is unlikely. But the bill serves as a political tool to stoke questions about Trump’s health during the coronavirus pandemic.
The bill would create a commission as outlined under the 25th Amendment, which was passed by Congress and ratified in 1967 as way to ensure a continuity of power in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
It says the vice president and a majority of principal officers of the executive departments “or of such other body as Congress” may by law provide a declaration to Congress that the president “is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” At that point, the vice president would immediately assume the powers of acting president.
5 comments
Palmer Tom
October 8, 2020 at 9:19 pm
I don’t support Trump, but this idea will go nowhere and just make the Democrats look ridiculous.
Sonja Fitch
October 8, 2020 at 10:21 pm
The sooner the better! Invoke Amendment 25! Trump is running on a steroid high! Trump is a clear and present danger to America! Lock him up in a bunker!
Ray Blacklidge
October 9, 2020 at 10:12 am
That is a crazy suggestion and Nancy should be removed from office for even suggesting it. She pledged her oath of loyalty to the US Constitution, not to a fascism, communism, or socialism system.
James Robert Miles
October 9, 2020 at 11:42 am
Nancy is fighting against the fascist GOP and although she doesn’t have a snowballs chance in hell, you go girl! ANYTHING to piss off the moron in the White House! VOTE HIM OUT, LOCK HIM UP!! DUMP TRUMP 2020! REMOVE the dictator wanna-be!!
Palmer Tom
October 9, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Uh, the 25th Amendment IS part of the U.S. Constitution.
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