Over 70 Democratic lawmakers are calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked to remove Donald Trump from office, amid escalating tensions with Iran that culminated in a temporary ceasefire on Tuesday evening. The move follows a series of aggressive posts by Trump on Truth Social, including one threatening to wipe out "a whole civilization" if Iran did not agree to demands.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on CNN that Democrats demand a permanent end to Trump's "reckless war of choice" and urged Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House to pass a war powers resolution. Representative Glenn Ivey will lead an effort during Thursday's pro forma session to seek unanimous consent for the resolution, though it is expected to fail due to likely Republican objections.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Democrats would force a vote when Congress returns next week, calling the war "one of the very worst military and foreign policy actions that the United States has ever taken." He cited the cost of the conflict and its impact on gas prices.
The calls for invoking the 25th Amendment intensified after Trump's Easter Sunday post and Tuesday's threat, which raised questions about his mental fitness. Senator Chris Murphy said no president in control of his senses would publicly promise to eradicate an entire civilization, while Representative Ro Khanna argued the threat violates the Constitution and Geneva Conventions.
Even former Trump allies, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, condemned the threat, with Greene posting "25TH AMENDMENT!!!" on X. A handful of Republicans expressed unease, but the party largely remained silent.
