Vice President Mike Pence opposes invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office, according to multiple media reports.
“Business Insider first reported that Pence would not support such a move, citing Pence advisers.
After Wednesday’s violence at the Capitol, some Democratic lawmakers urged Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. Section 4 of the amendment says the vice president shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office of president as acting president when the vice president and a majority of the members of the executive cabinet or congressional agencies submit a written statement to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives asserting that the president is incapable of carrying out the powers and duties of the office of president. But Pence and a majority of the Cabinet would need to agree before the president could be removed.
“Business Insider reported that a Republican close to Pence, when asked if the vice president would replace the president, replied, “It’s not happening.”
The New York Times later confirmed the news, with a source close to the vice president saying that Pence opposed invoking the 25th Amendment less than two weeks before the Jan. 20 inauguration.
A senior Republican told the New York Times that Pence’s decision not to make the move was supported by several members of Trump’s Cabinet. Several members of Trump’s Cabinet reportedly believe that removing Trump from the presidency would lead to further instability in Washington, D.C.
White House officials told “The Hill” that Pence was not involved in the 25th Amendment discussions.
CNN reported that sources said it was “highly unlikely” that Pence would go that route. An administration official told CNN that Pence himself has not discussed invoking the 25th Amendment with any Cabinet officials.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said Thursday that Congress is prepared to impeach President Trump if Pence and Cabinet members do not move to remove him from office.
Pelosi said Thursday she wants Vice President Mike Pence to pass the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office “today. She asked Pence to respond to her comments as soon as possible.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and several other Democrats have called for the removal of President Trump.
But Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, a Republican, said he does not support removing President Trump from office.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate at this point. I’m looking for a smooth transition.” He told reporters that he would spend the next 14 days seeking to transfer presidential powers in the traditional way.
Recent Comments