Amid growing discord within the Republican ranks, the question of potentially removing President Joe Biden from office using the 25th Amendment has sparked a significant divide.
Daily Mail reported that several Republican lawmakers contemplate this drastic measure, citing concerns over his ability to lead, but face opposition from key figures, including former President Donald Trump.
In the days following President Biden's announcement that he would not seek reelection, there was a surge of statements from Republican members advocating for his immediate removal. They argue that the President's mental and physical capacities are so diminished that he should not continue in his role, even for the remainder of his term.
Donald Trump, a dominant figure in the Republican Party, has strongly advised against deploying the 25th Amendment. He articulated concerns over the succession that would elevate Vice President Kamala Harris to the presidency, whom he labeled a "San Francisco radical."
Harris, according to Trump, would be a worse alternative, claiming that her policies and administrative approach are less desirable than Biden's. His perspective has influenced several party members who share his apprehensions about a potential Harris presidency.
On Capitol Hill, the debate has escalated with actions and proposals aimed at evaluating Biden's fitness to govern. Representative Chip Roy has been at the forefront, urging VP Harris to convene the Cabinet to consider Biden's removal. However, the path to actualize this is fraught with complexity.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is contemplating whether to introduce a resolution to formally assess Biden's capacity to serve, which would be a precursor to any 25th Amendment proceedings. Such a movement has not been seen before in American history, highlighting the unprecedented nature of this political moment.
Former Representative Derrick Van Orden expressed his actions toward implementing the 25th Amendment in strong terms, emphasizing the urgency he perceives in addressing President Biden’s capacity.
I wrote a letter and sent it to Kamala Harris asking her to invoke the 25th Amendment. It's her duty to invoke the 25th Amendment, get the cabinet together, write a letter, submit to Joe Biden and that millisecond she becomes the the the acting president United States.
Despite these fervent expressions for immediate action, not all agree. Representative Byron Donalds aligns with Trump, opposing the utilization of the 25th Amendment. Likewise, Representative Tim Burchett voiced skepticism that such a measure would pass in the Senate due to Biden's political limitations, albeit questioning his capacity to govern.
In a related legislative move, articles of impeachment have been introduced against Vice President Harris by Representative Andy Ogles, citing her handling of border laws. This introduces another layer of complexity as it questions not only the president's capacity but also challenges the competence of the next in line.
In conclusion, the potential invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove President Joe Biden has revealed deep rifts within the Republican Party, underscored by diverging opinions and actions ranging from aggressive legislative proposals to influential political statements.
While some see it as necessary to safeguard national security, others view it as a risky move that could lead to an undesirable shift in presidential power. The coming weeks will likely see continued debate and possibly decisive actions as lawmakers grapple with these challenging constitutional and political questions.
