In the wake of a politically disastrous debate performance by President Joe Biden, Speaker Mike Johnson suggested on Friday that the president’s Cabinet should discuss invoking the 25th Amendment. This follows growing concerns about Biden’s age and acuity, which have been compounded by his recent debate appearance.
Johnson’s Call to Action
When asked about calls within his own conference for invoking the 25th Amendment, Johnson acknowledged that “there’s a lot of people asking about” it. However, he emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the members of Biden’s Cabinet.
“I would ask the Cabinet members to search their hearts,” Johnson told reporters. “And we hope that they will do their duty, as we all seek to do our duty to do best by the American people. These are fateful moments.”
Pressing the Issue
When pressed on whether he personally believed the 25th Amendment should be invoked, Johnson added, “If I were in the Cabinet, I would be having that discussion with my colleagues at the Cabinet level. I would. We’ll see what action they take. It’s a serious situation.”
Rep. Chip Roy’s Resolution
Johnson’s comments come after Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) announced on X that he would be introducing a resolution calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to “mobilize the principal officers of the Cabinet” under the 25th Amendment. The resolution seeks to declare that President Biden is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office, and for Harris to notify Congress that she is assuming the duties of acting president. Roy introduced the resolution on Friday afternoon.
The 25th Amendment and Its Implications
The 25th Amendment allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unfit for office. If invoked, Vice President Harris would temporarily assume the duties of the presidency while Biden’s fitness is assessed. This move, however, would require substantial political and legal consensus and would likely spark intense debate within the country.
Conclusion
The discussion surrounding the potential invocation of the 25th Amendment reflects the heightened scrutiny of President Biden’s capabilities following his recent debate performance. As Speaker Johnson and Rep. Roy push for action, the nation watches closely to see how Biden’s Cabinet will respond to these unprecedented calls for intervention.
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