THE 25th amendment of the United States Constitution calls for the vice president to take office if the president should be "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office."
Calls for the legislation to be invoked resurfaced after Donald Trump's ripped down fences and breached the US Capitol building on January 6.
What is the 25th amendment?
The 25th amendment states: "In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President."
In simple terms, it means that if the president is unable to do his job, the vice president will take on his role.
"The president, vice president and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
What would it mean for Trump?
If the 25th amendment was invoked, Trump would be removed from office and Vice President Mike Pence would take office.
After Congress was forced to go into a recess when MAGA supporters stormed Capitol Hill, California Rep. Ted Lieu called for the immediate removal of the president.
"This assault on our nation’s Capitol is a coup attempt and all those involved should be prosecuted as such," he wrote.
"Also, for those Dems saying we shouldn’t impeach @realDonaldTrump again? You are wrong."
"Now is the time for @VP @Mike_Pence to start the 25th Amendment process."
Trump could also be impeached again, which requires a simple majority of the House and two-thirds of the Senate for removal, writes SFGate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled her 25th Amendment plan to oust Trump in October, saying on Bloomberg TV that "the president is, shall we say, in an altered state right now."
What happened on Capitol Hill on January 6?
Hundreds of Trump fans sieged the Capitol building on January 6 and a woman was shot as bloody clashes erupted in Congress.
The woman was shot in the chest and was left in critical condition, while tear gas was fired by police in sickening scenes.
The chaos came as members of Congress were meeting to vote and certify the 2020 presidential election results.
Vice President Mike Pence was ushered from the Capitol, as the building was put on lockdown, sources told Bloomberg.
Senators reportedly began to evacuate the building as cops said tear gas was deployed in the rotunda.
President Trump called for calm as violent scenes broke out.
"I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" Trump tweeted.
President-elect Joe Biden demanded Trump denounce the violence and call for an end in a televised speech later that day.
"Words of a president matter – no matter how bad or good that president is," Biden said.
Addressing Trump, he said: "Therefore I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the constitution and demand an end to this siege."
He added: "President Trump, step up."
What have people said about it on social media?
Amid the storming of congress by Trump supporters, social media users have immediately taken to Twitter to call for Trump's removal from office just two weeks before President Elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated.
"I am safe. We are sheltering in place. Make no mistake: President Trump and his enablers are directly responsible for this violence," said Rep Jerry Nadler.
"Protestors have breached the walls of the capitol building and the congress had to halt its work and shelter in place. No words for that which Trump us wrought. Still not too late for a 25 amendment removal," one user wrote.
"Is this Trumps Night of the Broken Glass? Congress, the Cabinet ,and the VP need to invoke 25 th amendment and clear the streets," another wrote referencing Nazi Germany times.
"Trumps' is way past the point of needing to be removed. Amendment 25!" one said.
"25th AMENDMENT NOW. ARREST AND DETAIN TRUMP NOW!" one demanded.
Source: Read Full Article
