PNN – Trump’s threats of war against Iran have prompted Congress to revive a legal tool, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, the Guardian newspaper in a report addressed the widespread and unprecedented reactions of American politicians to Donald Trump’s recent statements about Iran, describing this situation as a sign of increasing concerns within the United States; concerns that have even led to discussions about using the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution.
According to the report, Trump, in a message on his social network, demanded the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and at the same time threatened to target Iran’s vital infrastructure, including power plants, bridges and civilian facilities, if this demand is not met. These statements were made in a situation where the Strait of Hormuz, as one of the world’s most important energy transport routes, has been effectively closed after the start of the conflict, causing a sharp increase in oil prices on global markets.
The Guardian writes that these positions have been met with strong reactions within the United States. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders has called these words “dangerous and a sign of mental instability” and has called for immediate action by Congress to end the war. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has also described Trump’s behavior as “completely out of control” and warned that such an approach could lead to war crimes and weaken America’s standing among its allies.
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has gone further and, by calling Trump’s behavior “completely out of control,” has explicitly mentioned the possibility of using the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to review the president’s competence; an issue that the report considers a sign that the crisis has reached a legal and structural level.
Marjorie Tyler Green, who was previously considered a Trump supporter, has now criticized the threat to attack civilian infrastructure, stressing that such actions harm ordinary people and contradict Trump’s campaign promises. Rohan Khanna has called for an immediate end to the war and a move toward a diplomatic solution, while Tim Kaine has described Trump’s tone as “dangerous and inappropriate.”
The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1967, is designed to address the incapacity of the president. Its most important section, Section 4, provides that if the vice president and a majority of the cabinet determine that the president is unable to perform his duties, they can temporarily transfer powers to the vice president by sending a formal declaration to Congress.
If the president objects to this decision, the matter is referred to Congress, and representatives must decide on his incapacity within 21 days by a two-thirds vote of both houses. If confirmed, the vice president remains as acting president. This mechanism is actually one of the most important legal tools for reviewing the president’s competence in crisis situations.
The Guardian report emphasizes that Trump’s increasingly threatening tone and continued war have not only increased political criticism, but also led to a more serious debate about his competence and ability to continue as president.