April, 24 2020, 12:00am EDT
MoveOn Calls on Cabinet to Remove Trump from Office Via 25th Amendment
Statement of MoveOn executive director Rahna Epting:
WASHINGTON
Statement of MoveOn executive director Rahna Epting:
"Trump's comments about injecting disinfectant aren't even the only incoherent, incompetent, or dangerous thing he's said this week. More to the point, it's not just Trump's words but his actions that reveal his utter inability to discharge the duties of his office. He downplayed the threat of coronavirus for months and went golfing when he should have been preparing, has still failed to ensure sufficient testing or PPE, and can't seem to figure out how to get stimulus checks and other relief to families in need. He reportedly doesn't attend coronavirus briefings, but rather governs by watching TV. His egotism, intentional ignorance, and lack of rudimentary understanding of or respect for the Constitution are clear evidence of his inability to govern. If it wasn't already abundantly clear it should be now: it's past time for the Cabinet to exercise its constitutional responsibility and remove Trump from office."
For reference, Section 4 of the 25th Amendment follows:
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
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