Democratic bloc urges 25th Amendment invocation as Larson moves to impeach Trump

Democratic Representative John Larson of Connecticut has announced the filing of articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, citing the ongoing war in Iran and recent social media threats in which the president vowed to erase “an entire civilization” from the map if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened immediately.

President Trump had paused offensive operations for a two-week period on Tuesday evening following intervention from Pakistan and a request for an extension of the deadline.

“Donald Trump has long since crossed every line necessary for his removal from office. The situation is only deteriorating,” Larson said in a statement. “The illegal war he is waging in Iran is not only driving up prices for American families but is also costing the lives of American citizens.”

Larson, currently serving his 14th term representing Connecticut, emphasized that the president has become increasingly unstable.

“His profanity-laden and sacrilegious Easter Sunday post, followed by threats that ‘an entire civilization will die’ and ‘open the Strait or face hell,’ are not only precursors to war crimes but also jeopardize our security,” Larson continued.

A total of 70 Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Chris Murphy, and Representative Yaasmin Ansari, have stated that the Trump cabinet should invoke the 25th Amendment of the Constitution.

The amendment in question provides for the mandatory transfer of presidential powers to the vice president should a president be determined unfit to fulfill the duties of the office.

In contrast, members of the Trump cabinet continue to support the military strikes. Cabinet officials maintain the White House position that the objective of the war is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, long-time Trump supporters, including Alex Jones, Megyn Kelly, and Tucker Carlson, expressed that the president’s Sunday post threatening to bomb Iranian civilian infrastructure went too far. Other figures dismissed concerns regarding the threat of attack.

Republican Representative Mike Lawler, speaking on CNN News Central, addressed the rhetoric. “We are talking about taking decisive steps against Iran’s energy and civilian infrastructure. That is what the president means. He is not talking about the destruction of innocent people,” Lawler said.

However, Larson argued that the president’s statements indicate an inability to serve.

“The people in my district know he is unfit to lead and are calling for his impeachment,” Larson said. “While the Republican majority has so far failed to fulfill its constitutional responsibility to initiate impeachment proceedings, this does not exempt others from their duties. Cabinet members and those closest to the president can act immediately.”

Larson concluded his statement by calling for administrative action. “They have an obligation to put patriotism above politics and invoke the 25th Amendment. Donald Trump is either unable or unwilling to faithfully discharge the responsibilities of the office; he is endangering the nation’s security and its economy.”