Four of the experts must be clinical psychiatrists and two must have previously served as Cabinet officials, according to the bill. The commission would consist of 10 medical experts appointed by top Democratic and Republican leaders from the House and the Senate.

That bill, which has remained on the back-burner for years, would establish the “Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity,” as set forth by the fourth section of the 25th Amendment. The measure coming Friday will likely mirror a bill introduced by Raskin in 2017. Bush, who invoked the third section in 2002 to temporarily transfer power to Vice President Dick Cheney while under anesthesia for a colonoscopy.Ĭongressional prospects aside, Pelosi’s forthcoming measure puts a spotlight on Trump’s erratic behavior and makes the 25th Amendment part of political discourse. Other sections of the amendment have been used before, including by President George W.

Moreover, the 25th Amendment’s fourth section has never been used in American history.

Pence would in turn assume the powers of the presidency.Ĭonsidering Trump’s iron grip on his party, that outcome appears all but impossible, though. The procedure hinted at by Pelosi is known as the fourth section of the 25th Amendment, which holds that a president can be removed, either temporarily or permanently, if he or she becomes unable to discharge his or her duties due to illness or other circumstances but refuses to voluntarily give up power.įor such removal to actually happen in the case of Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and a majority of the president’s cabinet would have to declare him unfit to lead. The prospect of Trump actually being removed from office via the 25th Amendment is slim.

Raskin 25th amendment