Iran War Isn't The Only Crisis Trump Is Facing Right Now: The 25th Amendment Storm Explained

Last Updated:April 08, 2026, 08:04 IST

More than 85 House Democrats have now backed efforts to either impeach Trump or invoke the 25th Amendment, even after the announcement of a temporary ceasefire with Iran

Donald Trump may have stepped back from the edge on Tuesday by announcing a two-week ceasefire with Iran with just a little over an hour ahead of his self-imposed deadline, but it seems the US President’s worries have just begun.

Much to Trump’s chagrin, instead of calming Washington, the Iran war has triggered one of the loudest waves of calls for his removal since returning to office.

According to Axios, more than 85 House Democrats have now backed efforts to either impeach Trump or invoke the 25th Amendment, even after the announcement of a temporary ceasefire with Iran. The move underscores a key reality: the issue is no longer just the war itself, but Trump’s conduct during it.

The backlash was triggered by Trump’s increasingly extreme rhetoric, including threats to destroy Iranian infrastructure and warnings that “a whole civilization will die", which lawmakers say could amount to advocating war crimes or collective punishment, The Guardian reported.

These statements have raised alarm not just among Democrats, but even within parts of Trump’s traditional support base, with some former allies questioning his judgment and fitness for office.

A report by CNBC explains why the 25th Amendment is being discussed so intensely: it allows the Vice-President and Cabinet to declare a President unable to discharge their duties, effectively removing them from power. However, experts note that invoking it is politically and procedurally difficult, especially given Trump’s loyal Cabinet and Republican backing, The Economic Times reported.

So what exactly is the 25th Amendment and how does it work?

The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution is a provision in US law that deals with what happens if a President becomes unable to perform their duties. What it essentially does is clarifies who takes over if a President dies, resigns, or is removed, and how a Vice-President becomes acting president if the President is incapacitated.

The most talked-about section in relation to removing a sitting president like Donald Trump is Section 4 of the Amendment.

How Does Section 4 Work?

The Vice-President and a majority of the Cabinet declare that the President is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office". They then send this declaration to the Congress, following which the Vice-President immediately becomes Acting President.

In case the President disagrees and insists he can do his job, the Congress must take a call. To keep the President out of power, two-thirds of both the House and Senate must agree.

It is significant to note that the Amendment does not permanently remove the President but makes the Vice-President the Acting President. It was designed for situations like serious illness, mental incapacity, and medical emergencies.

Till now, Section 4 has never been successfully used to sideline a President though other parts of the amendment, like temporary transfer of power during surgery, have been used.

While the 25th Amendment is often discussed during moments of controversy or concern about a President’s fitness, in reality, it requires cooperation from the President’s own Cabinet and a very high threshold in Congress.

Why Trump Faces The Test

Several Democratic lawmakers issued blunt, on-record appeals for immediate action. Congressman Ro Khanna said, “We need to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump," while Ilhan Omar posted, “Invoke the 25th amendment. Impeach. Remove."

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker declared, “It’s past time. The 25th Amendment must be invoked," as concerns spread within Democratic ranks over Trump’s conduct and rhetoric. Congressman Robert Garcia went further, saying, “He’s out of control… invoke the 25th Amendment. He must be removed."

Other lawmakers echoed the sentiment. Representative Julie Johnson said, “It’s time to invoke the 25th Amendment," while Bonnie Watson Coleman warned, “He is clearly unstable and must be set aside." Congressman Jimmy Gomez added, “The 25th Amendment exists for moments like this," and Mark Pocan questioned publicly, “Isn’t it time for the 25th Amendment?"

Even some voices on the right signalled alarm. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly described Trump’s behavior as “evil and madness," a rare break from a prominent ally.

Outside government, prominent commentators also weighed in. Media personality Alex Jones asked, “How do we 25th Amendment his a**?" while former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci urged institutional action to check the President’s conduct.

Critics believe Trump’s words and conduct in a high-risk moment suggest he may be unable to safely exercise presidential power and hence, it would be the best time to divest him of it.

News explainers Iran War Isn't The Only Crisis Trump Is Facing Right Now: The 25th Amendment Storm Explained

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