As President Donald Trump unleashes profanity-laced threats against Iran, a growing chorus of Democrats is raising concerns about his mental stability and calling for his removal from office. Republicans, however, have largely remained silent.
Escalating Concerns and Calls for Action
Democrats are intensifying their criticism as the 79-year-old president delivers speeches described as rambling and incoherent, hurls insults at US allies, and threatens actions that could constitute war crimes. On Easter Sunday, Trump posted on social media warning Iran to “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell.” He followed this with a claim that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not reopen the strait of Hormuz.
By Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 Democratic members of Congress had publicly called for Trump’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, a process for removing a president deemed unfit for office.
Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that after “bombing a school and massacring young girls, the war criminal in the White House is threatening genocide.” Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota labeled Trump an “unhinged lunatic” and questioned why her Republican colleagues haven’t acted. Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin called for the immediate invocation of the 25th Amendment, stating Trump is “too unhinged, dangerous, and deranged to have the nuclear codes!”
Even former Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, now a vocal critic of Trump, has joined the calls for his removal, writing, “25TH AMENDMENT!!! Not a single bomb has dropped on America. We cannot kill an entire civilization. What we have is evil and madness.” Greene had previously stated that Trump has “gone insane.”
A Divided Response
Yassamin Ansari, the only Iranian American Democrat in Congress, described the president as “a deranged lunatic, and a national security threat.” However, the chances of Trump’s cabinet turning against him are considered slim. Even with Trump threatening to target civilian infrastructure in Iran, few Republicans have publicly voiced dissent, with many appearing to support the course of action.
Kurt Bardella, a former Republican congressional aide, noted that the 25th Amendment is the most immediate mechanism for action, but requires a dozen or thirteen Republicans to act against the president.
Trump’s actions have also drawn criticism from some on the right, including former allies like Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, and Candace Owens, who view his threats as a betrayal of his “America First” promise to end prolonged military engagements. Alex Jones even asked, “How do we 25th amendment his ass?”
Despite this, Republicans on Capitol Hill, some of whom are long-time proponents of a hard line against Iran, appear willing to overlook Trump’s rhetoric. Bill Galston, a former policy advisor to Bill Clinton, described the Republican response as “supine.”
Questions of Capacity
While Trump’s defenders insist he remains energetic, working through the night and delivering lengthy speeches, reports have surfaced over the past year of visible hand bruising and swollen ankles. His mental state remains a contentious issue, with Trump claiming to have “aced” cognitive tests and his press secretary asserting he is “always the most well-read person in the room.” Critics dismiss these claims as laughable.
Galston cautioned against making psychological judgments from a distance, referencing a 1964 incident where psychologists incorrectly declared Barry Goldwater mentally disturbed based on his political positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 25th Amendment?
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution provides a process for removing a president from office if they are deemed unable to discharge the powers and duties of their office.
How many Democrats have called for Trump’s removal?
By Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 Democratic members of Congress had called for Trump’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.
What is the Goldwater rule?
The Goldwater rule is a convention among psychiatrists that they should not give an opinion about the mental state of a person they have not examined.
Given the current political climate and the gravity of the situation, what role will Republican leadership play in addressing these concerns?
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