The Future of President Trump’s Term

In light of yesterday’s events, the demand for the use of the 25th Amendment is high.  There have also been a decent amount of people involved in the Trump administration who have resigned.  America is in the midst of chaos.

Let’s first begin with what the 25th Amendment is:  “The 25th Amendment provides the procedures for replacing the president or vice president in the event of death, removal, resignation, or incapacitation” (Cornell).  Basically, if the president is unfit for office, there is a way to remove the incumbent, thus making the vice president the newest president.  

No president has ever been removed under this amendment, but it has been used.  It has four different sections, but only three have been utilized before.  One time that it was used was after President Nixon’s resignation.  Presidents undergoing medical operations have also allowed ways for the amendment to be used (Blakemore).    

Reports have recently come out about the desire to enact the 25th Amendment on President Trump.  Some Republicans have allegedly been open to this.  Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger has openly called for the use of the amendment and is the first Republican do so.  Even though President Trump has less than two weeks left in office, apparently the use of the amendment could have a permanent impact.  “By impeaching and removing Trump, even at this late stage of his term, the Senate could subsequently vote to disqualify Trump from ever holding federal office again” (CNN). 

Democrats have a plan for the next two weeks or so regarding President Trump.  If the 25th Amendment does not get used then they are ready to impeach him, for the second time. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer are the two loudest voices in this situation.  VP Pence does not appear inclined to use the amendment (Fandos). 

 A number of members of the Trump administration resigned due to the events at the Capitol this week.  Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, U.S Envoy to Northern Ireland Mick Mulvaney, and Chief of Staff for First Lady Melania Trump Stephanie Grisham are only a few of the more than ten members to resign.  Some of those that resigned gave statements while others did not.  Those that did had very similar things to say.  An example from White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews said, “As someone who worked in the halls of Congress, I was deeply disturbed by what I saw today. I’ll be stepping down from my role, effective immediately. Our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power” (Hart).

Though President Trump only has a few more days in office, it appears that it will not necessarily be the most enjoyable time, for either the President or the country.  

“25th Amendment.” Legal Information Institute, Legal Information Institute, http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxxv.

Blakemore, Erin. “Calls to Replace Trump via the 25th Amendment Are Growing. Here’s Why It’s Never Happened before.” History & Culture, 7 Jan. 2021, http://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2021/01/calls-to-replace-trump-25th-amendment-growing-heres-why-never-happened-before/.

Fandos, Nicholas. “Democrats Threaten Impeachment If Pence Won’t Act After Capitol Siege.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Jan. 2021, http://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/politics/pence-impeachment-democrats.html.

Hart, Benjamin. “Everyone Who Has Quit the Trump Administration After Wednesday’s Anarchy.” Intelligencer, Intelligencer, 8 Jan. 2021, nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/01/capitol-riots-who-has-quit-the-trump-administration.html.

Warren, Michael, et al. “Angry Republican Leaders Float Removing Trump from Office.” CNN, Cable News Network, 7 Jan. 2021, http://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/politics/trump-capitol-impeachment-25-amendment/index.html.