Rumor has it that some members of President Trump’s cabinet had conversations about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office before Inauguration Day.
But some experts said it would be an unprecedented move.
While it’s possible the 25th Amendment discussions took place in past administrations, the latest development represented the most public instance of such talks being revealed.
But Steven Woolpert, professor of politics at St. Mary’s College, said the process is complex.
“It’s not the kind of thing that would necessarily be appropriate for responding to sedition or inciting riots, or whatever else you want to accuse President Trump of doing on this horrible day,” Woolpert said.
Not only would a cabinet majority need to agree, but also two-thirds of the House and Senate would need to approve the action.
Woolpert said the 25th Amendment is not about job performance, popularity or impeachable offenses.
“It’s unfit-ness for office, either mentally or physically,” Woolpert said.
Speculation first began after Vice President Mike Pence approved the deployment of the National Guard, rather than President Trump.
However, Woolpert said it was more likely that aides would steer the President toward resignation, rather than admitting defeat.
President Trump gave a speech earlier Wednesday, falsely claiming he won the election and calling for his supporters to march to the Capitol as Congress certified the Electoral College vote following November's election of former Vice President Joe Biden as president over Trump.
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