Republicans Demand Biden’s 25th Amendment Removal: Unlikely

In a dramatic turn of events, several Republican lawmakers have called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove President Joe Biden from office. This follows the release of a special counsel’s report on Thursday, which alleged Biden’s memory issues and accused him of mishandling classified materials while a private citizen. However, despite the fervent calls from the GOP, such a scenario appears highly unlikely.

Republican heavyweights including Senators Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, and Josh Hawley of Missouri took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to demand the invocation of the 25th Amendment. This constitutional provision allows for the removal of a sitting president if deemed unfit by the vice president and a majority of the cabinet.

Echoing their sentiments, Representatives Mary Miller of Illinois, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Mike Collins of Georgia emphasized the necessity of invoking the 25th Amendment in light of the report’s findings. Miller went as far as stating, “if he won’t resign, the Cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment,” citing Biden’s alleged struggles to recall basic life facts as outlined in the report.

The chorus of Republican voices demanding action also included prominent figures such as Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, radio host Mark Levin, and former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. While most Republican leaders did not explicitly call for the 25th Amendment’s invocation, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, along with other Republican House leaders, asserted that the report demonstrated Biden’s unsuitability for the presidency.

However, despite the clamor from the Republican camp, there is currently no indication that Biden’s cabinet is considering invoking the 25th Amendment. White House counsel Richard Sauber expressed satisfaction that the investigation had concluded but criticized what he termed “inaccurate and inappropriate comments” contained within the report.

The report, spearheaded by Special Counsel Robert Hur and released by the Justice Department on Thursday, alleged that Biden had “willfully” retained classified materials during his time as a private citizen. It also raised concerns about Biden’s memory, citing instances where he struggled to recall essential details such as the years he served as vice president.

Hur’s findings, while critical, did not result in criminal charges against Biden. The special counsel cited the president’s memory issues as a significant factor, believing they would pose challenges in convincing a jury of any intentional wrongdoing.

The Republican calls for invoking the 25th Amendment stem from mounting concerns over Biden’s mental acuity, particularly in light of the report’s revelations. Former President Donald Trump has also joined the chorus of voices questioning Biden’s fitness for office.

However, despite the growing criticism, the likelihood of the 25th Amendment being invoked remains slim. Such a move would necessitate the support of Vice President and Biden’s Democratic cabinet, who would have to agree on his incapacity to fulfill his duties. Furthermore, the process would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of Congress to strip the president of his powers.

This isn’t the first time calls for invoking the 25th Amendment have surfaced. Similar demands were made during Trump’s presidency, albeit from within his own administration. Following the events of January 6th, reports emerged suggesting that members of the Trump administration were contemplating the amendment’s use to remove him from office.

As the political landscape continues to be roiled by these developments, the prospect of invoking the 25th Amendment remains mired in partisan divisions and procedural hurdles. While Republicans may clamor for Biden’s removal, the path to such a outcome appears fraught with obstacles, making it more of a political rallying cry than a feasible course of action.