Following a disastrous debate and increasing calls for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, more voices are advocating for the activation of the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This would remove the president, who refuses to exit the race, and give an opportunity for his vice president or another Democratic candidate to face former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
The application of the 25th Amendment allows for Biden to be forced to resign if a majority of his cabinet members determine he is unfit to perform his duties due to cognitive issues. In such a case, the Constitution states that the vice president will assume the presidency in the event of his death, resignation, or acknowledgment of a decline in his mental health.
While Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for the activation of the 25th Amendment, two Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution for its activation just one day after the debate, citing Biden's incomprehensible performance, stammering, and lack of focus. Interestingly, Trump has not joined these calls, raising speculation that he prefers Biden as the Democratic candidate for the ease of defeating him in the election and even advised the president to ignore calls to withdraw from the race.
The Constitution stipulates that the vice president and 15 of his cabinet members can submit a memo to the leaders of both the House and Senate to request the president's removal from office. However, the president can also veto this action. Therefore, lawmakers must respond within four days to continue the removal process, and Congress must approve it within 48 hours. The decision requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers to take effect, which is unlikely.
What is certain is that Biden's opponents seek an honorable exit for their president; they commend his achievements over the decades and will not allow his political reputation to be tarnished. Thus, they prefer persuasion over ousting.
