The 25th Amendment, once a rarely discussed constitutional safeguard, is suddenly at the center of a heated national debate—thanks to a controversial proposal from former President Donald Trump. At a campaign rally in Wisconsin on September 7, Trump stunned supporters and critics alike by demanding a dramatic overhaul of the amendment, which governs presidential succession and the removal of a president deemed unfit for office.
Trump’s Proposal: Impeach the Vice President?
Trump’s remarks zeroed in on Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of covering up what he described as President Joe Biden’s “mental unfitness.” He proposed a new mechanism: allowing for the impeachment and removal of a vice president who “lies or engages in a conspiracy to cover up the incapacity of the president.” This would mark a radical departure from the amendment’s original intent, which was to ensure a smooth transfer of power in cases of presidential disability—not to police the vice president’s loyalty or truthfulness.
The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, was designed to address situations where a president is unable to perform the duties of the office, whether due to illness, injury, or other incapacity. It allows the vice president to step in temporarily or permanently, depending on the circumstances. The amendment was a response to historical crises, such as President Woodrow Wilson’s incapacitation after a stroke, when his wife Edith Wilson effectively ran the White House in secret.
Political Motives and Historical Context
Trump’s proposal has ignited fierce debate among constitutional scholars and political observers. Critics argue that such a change would inject even more partisanship into an already fraught process, potentially incentivizing vice presidents to act in their own political interest rather than the nation’s. As Dr. John R. Vile, a leading constitutional expert, notes, “The potential for partisan mischief in discrediting those who held both offices could be as destructive as they would be politically tempting”.
The amendment has rarely been invoked, and never for the involuntary removal of a sitting president. Section 4, which allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unfit, was discussed during Trump’s own presidency—particularly after the January 6 Capitol riot—but Vice President Mike Pence declined to pursue it, citing the risk of further chaos.
Why the 25th Amendment Matters Now
The renewed focus on the 25th Amendment comes amid ongoing concerns about the health and fitness of aging political leaders. President Biden’s debate performance and persistent questions about his cognitive abilities have fueled speculation, while Trump’s own mental fitness was a topic of discussion during his time in office.
The amendment’s original purpose was to provide a clear, orderly process for presidential succession—not to serve as a political weapon. As the debate over Trump’s proposal unfolds, experts warn that tampering with this delicate balance could have unintended and destabilizing consequences for American democracy.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead
For now, Trump’s call to revise the 25th Amendment remains just that—a proposal. Amending the Constitution is a notoriously difficult process, requiring supermajorities in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states. Still, the controversy has thrust the amendment into the spotlight, raising urgent questions about presidential accountability, the role of the vice president, and the future of American governance.
As the 2026 election cycle heats up, expect the 25th Amendment to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing battle over the nation’s highest office.
Sources
1. A Terrible Idea for Revising the 25th Amendment | The Well News
2. [PDF] Talking Trump and the Twenty-fifth Amendment
3. Why Trump won't be removed by the 25th Amendment | Brookings
4. 25th Amendment - Presidential Disability and Succession
5. Whoopi Goldberg claims it may be time to invoke the 25th ...
6. Interpretation: The Twenty-Fifth Amendment | Constitution Center
7. UB expert: Invoking 25th will further divide nation
8. Con Law 2017: Constitutional Law for the Trump Era
