Efforts to remove President Trump from office gained momentum this week as lawmakers began exploring the use of the Constitution’s 25th Amendment—a move that could potentially place JD Vance in the presidency.
On Tuesday, Representative Jamie Raskin introduced legislation tied to invoking the 25th Amendment. The Maryland Democrat pointed to what he described as Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior, including threats that Iran’s “entire civilization” could be destroyed, as justification for considering removal.
Although the 25th Amendment has been applied in the past when presidents were temporarily unable to perform their duties—such as during medical procedures—it has never been used to force a president out of office.
Part of the reason is that the most controversial section of the amendment has never been fully tested, and also because Raskin’s proposal would follow a long and complex process—one that could ultimately result in Vice President Vance assuming the presidency.
The bill, supported by Raskin and roughly 50 House Democrats, would establish a commission composed of members of Congress, former executive officials, and medical professionals. Their role would be to assess whether Trump’s recent conduct meets the threshold required to activate the 25th Amendment.
This approach differs from earlier attempts to remove Trump, including two impeachment efforts that ultimately failed in the Senate. Rather than moving directly toward removal, Raskin’s plan aims to first build a broader evidentiary case.
In a public statement, Raskin said confidence in Trump’s ability to perform presidential duties had fallen to historic lows. He cited Trump’s threats toward foreign nations, his handling of tensions in the Middle East, his criticisms of the Pope, and even online imagery portraying himself as Jesus Christ as indicators of what he described as an increasingly unstable presidency.
Raskin warned that the nation was approaching a dangerous threshold and argued that Congress had a constitutional responsibility under the 25th Amendment to act in defense of national security and the American people.
So what exactly is the 25th Amendment?
The 25th Amendment outlines what occurs when a president dies, resigns, or becomes unable to carry out the duties of office. Ratified in 1967 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, it clarifies the succession role of the vice president.
Under its provisions, the vice president automatically becomes president if the sitting president dies, resigns, or is removed. The new president then nominates a vice president, who must be confirmed by both chambers of Congress.
It also allows a president to temporarily transfer authority to the vice president—for example during surgery or medical incapacity—and later resume those powers.
The most critical section for Trump’s critics is Section 4, which permits removal if the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet determine the president is unable to fulfill the duties of office. Even then, Congress must approve the decision with a two-thirds vote.
Raskin’s proposal is intended to build momentum toward that possibility by first creating a commission to determine whether Section 4 should be considered at all.
Will it actually happen?
While it may appear unlikely that a Republican-controlled Congress and Trump’s own Cabinet would agree to such a move, calls for action have intensified in recent days.
Former CIA Director John Brennan, a longtime Trump critic, said the 25th Amendment seemed almost designed for a situation like Trump’s presidency. He argued it was dangerous to leave control of the military—and even nuclear authority—in the hands of someone issuing extreme threats. Brennan described the current moment as deeply concerning for the country.
Notably, calls for action have not come solely from Trump’s usual opponents. Even Alex Jones, the InfoWars host and former MAGA supporter, publicly questioned whether Trump should be removed under the 25th Amendment.
