House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday unveiled legislation that would allow Congress to oust a president from office using the 25th Amendment, stressing that “this is not about President Trump,” but about creating “a process for future presidents,” meaning potentially Joe Biden.
The bill would set up a commission to assess the president’s ability to lead the country and ensure a continuity of government. It comes one year after Pelosi’s House launched impeachment proceedings against Trump. If passed by a 2/3 vote in both houses, the 25th Amendment would allow for the vice president to become acting president after it was determined that the president was “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”
Pelosi, who has raised questions about Trump’s mental fitness for years, has lately used the president’s COVID-19 diagnosis to question his health and his behavior.
“This is not about President Trump,” Pelosi maintained Friday, after her chic color-coordinated mask had slipped well below her nose. “He will face the judgment of the voters. But he shows the need for us to create a process for future presidents.”
President Trump immediately responded to the legislation on Twitter, arguing that Democrats are gearing up to remove a future President Joe Biden and replace him with his V.P. pick Sen. Kamala Harris.
“Crazy Nancy Pelosi is looking at the 25th Amendment in order to replace Joe Biden with Kamala Harris,” Trump tweeted. “The Dems want that to happen fast because Sleepy Joe is out of it!!!”
Crazy Nancy Pelosi is looking at the 25th Amendment in order to replace Joe Biden with Kamala Harris. The Dems want that to happen fast because Sleepy Joe is out of it!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
Pelosi’s bill, which has no hopes of becoming law, was quickly dismissed as a stunt by Republicans.
“It’s an absurd proposal,” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Fox News.
“Absolutely absurd,” said Senate Majority Leader McConnell during an appearance in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.
Pelosi on Thursday had signaled to reporters that the controversial legislation was coming.
Clad in a bright orange face mask to match her orange suit, Pelosi said that she would be “talking about the 25th Amendment” on Friday.
“The public needs to know the health condition of the president,” Pelosi said Thursday.
Trump later responded: “Crazy Nancy is the one who should be under observation. They don’t call her Crazy for nothing!”
Update:
Trump commented further on the Speaker’s 25th Amendment gambit on the Rush Limbaugh Show, Friday afternoon.
“She’s gone crazy, she’s a nutjob,” Trump said of Pelosi, adding: “I think they put it in so they can Kamala in, replacing Biden.”
“Exactly!,” Limbaugh agreed. “That’s exactly what it is! It’s a trial run to see if they can kick Biden out.”
Limbaugh echoed Pelosi’s words, saying, ” it’s not aimed at you.”
“That was the first thing I thought of,” Trump told the legendary radio host.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020