An explanation of how the 25th Amendment could be used to remove President Trump from office

Growing Political Pressure

Amid rising concerns over President Donald Trump’s mental fitness and controversial actions, several lawmakers are urging his Cabinet and Congress to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. This constitutional provision, ratified in 1967, has never been used to remove a sitting president.

Critics point to Trump’s recent remarks about Greenland and his complaints over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize as evidence of erratic behavior. Lawmakers see these actions as a “last straw” that could justify considering the amendment.

Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Arizona) tweeted, “The president of the United States is extremely mentally ill, and it’s putting all our lives at risk. The 25th Amendment exists for a reason—we need to invoke it immediately.”

The 25th Amendment Explained

The 25th Amendment addresses presidential succession and incapacity. It contains several key sections:

Section 1: If the president leaves office due to death, resignation, or removal, the vice president becomes president. It also outlines how to fill a vacant vice-presidency.
Section 3: Allows a president to temporarily transfer power to the vice president, often for medical reasons. Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush used this section during procedures.
Section 4: Allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unable to perform duties, making the vice president the acting president. If the president contests, Congress has 21 days to vote; a two-thirds majority in both chambers is needed to sustain the transfer.

Despite calls from lawmakers, no Cabinet members have publicly supported invoking Section 4 against Trump. Legal experts note that subjective judgments like “inept” or “lazy” do not meet the legal threshold for removal.

Has the 25th Amendment Ever Been Used?

Sections 1–3 of the amendment have seen use:

Section 1 & 2: Activated when Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned; Gerald Ford was appointed and later became president after Nixon resigned.
Section 3: Used by Reagan and George W. Bush to temporarily transfer power.

However, Section 4 has never been used to remove a president.

The Greenland Controversy

Trump’s recent comments about Greenland have intensified opposition. On January 18, he sent a text to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, suggesting the U.S. could take control of Greenland because he had not been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump wrote:

“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America,” according to Reuters.

Critics called the text reckless. Greenland’s leaders and citizens rejected the idea of becoming part of the U.S., and Democrats argue such behavior signals unsuitability for office.

Trump’s spokesperson defended him, saying, “Many of this president’s predecessors recognized the strategic logic of acquiring Greenland, but only President Trump has had the courage to pursue this seriously. NATO becomes far more formidable with Greenland under U.S. protection, and Greenlanders would benefit from modern security threats in the Arctic.”

Challenges to Using the 25th Amendment

Even if the Cabinet agreed, Trump could challenge the decision. Congress would then vote within 21 days. A two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate would be required to sustain the vice president as acting president. Otherwise, Trump would resume full authority.