US President Impeachment: Since George Washington became the first president of the United States, 45 men have held the job across 47 presidencies. Over many years, a lot of serious problems have happened while presidents were in office. Eight presidents died while serving. Out of these, four were killed. One president did not finish his term because he quit.
That president was Richard Nixon. After the Watergate scandal shocked the country, Nixon was told he could either step down or face impeachment and punishment. He decided to resign instead of staying in office.
Because bad situations can happen, the US created rules for removing a president if needed. One such rule is the 25th Amendment. Senator Bayh, who helped write it, once explained why it exists. He said the fourth part should only be used “if the President was as nutty as a fruit cake. Mental illness, pure and simple, is the only time this provision would be used.”
Presidents Who Faced Impeachment
So far, three US presidents have been impeached. The first was Andrew Johnson in February 1868. He was accused of ignoring Congress and acting without permission from the Senate. Later, Bill Clinton was impeached for sexual misconduct and lying under oath.
Donald Trump was impeached twice. The first time was in 2019. He was accused of pressuring a foreign leader to interfere in a US election. The second impeachment happened a few years later for “incitement of insurrection” during the attack on the US Capitol while the 2020 election results were being counted.
Impeachment has three steps. First is an investigation. Then the House of Representatives must approve the charges with a simple majority. Finally, the Senate votes. A president can only be removed if two thirds of the Senate votes guilty. In all impeachment cases so far, that number was never reached. Every president who was impeached was later cleared.
What If a President is Mentally Unfit?
Today, there are growing talks about whether a president can be removed for mental reasons. These worries are not just from Democrats. Some Republicans and even MAGA supporters feel the president may be losing mental sharpness.
Many people around the world were shocked when Trump spoke about wanting to take over Greenland, which belongs to Denmark and is linked to NATO. He explained his thinking in a letter sent to Norway. Some say he is still upset about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
This has raised questions about the 25th Amendment. Here is what the law says:
“In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.”
“Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.”
“Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office… such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.”
“Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments… transmit… their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”
The rule also explains that if the president disagrees, Congress must vote. Only if two thirds of both Houses agree can the vice president stay in charge.
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So could this rule be used against Trump? The answer is very unlikely. That is because getting a two-thirds vote in the Senate is extremely hard. In Trump’s two impeachment trials, he was cleared both times. He avoided removal by six votes. In 2021, he survived again by 10 votes in 2019.
Because of this, experts say removing a president using the 25th Amendment is possible in theory, but very rare in real life.
