The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution explains what happens if a president is unable to perform the duties of the office. It was introduced after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to prevent uncertainty during a national crisis.
One part of the amendment, known as Section 4, allows presidential power to be temporarily transferred to the vice president. For this to happen, the vice president and a majority of the cabinet must agree that the president is unfit to lead. If the president objects, Congress must step in. Both the House and the Senate would need a two-thirds majority to keep the transfer of power in place.
In recent weeks, some Democrats have mentioned the amendment while criticizing President Donald Trump’s actions during his second term. Their concerns focus on his immigration policies, strong rhetoric toward U.S. allies, and controversial foreign policy decisions. Critics argue these actions raise serious questions about judgment and leadership.
However, using the 25th Amendment in this way would be extremely rare. It has never been used to remove a sitting president against their will. The process would require strong support from the vice president, cabinet members, and Congress.
Most political analysts believe that support does not exist. Trump continues to hold firm backing within his party and administration. As a result, the discussion around the 25th Amendment is largely seen as political debate rather than a realistic path to removing him from office.