House may consider new way to remove presidents amid Biden allegations
Rep. Darrell Issa of California has proposed the idea of a constitutional amendment that would make it easier to remove a president from office if they are unable to perform their duties. This suggestion comes in response to concerns about former President Joe Biden’s declining mental state and the alleged cover-up of his health issues by his administration.
Issa, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, pointed out that the current provisions in the 25th Amendment may not be sufficient to address the situation at hand. The 25th Amendment allows the Vice President and the Cabinet to remove a president if they are deemed “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” However, Issa raised concerns about the impartiality of the Vice President and Cabinet members in making such a decision.
In light of these concerns, Issa suggested that the other two branches of government – Congress and the Supreme Court – should be involved in the process of determining a president’s ability to perform their duties. He emphasized the need for a fair and, if necessary, public way of assessing a president’s fitness for office.
The House Oversight Committee is currently conducting interviews with Biden administration officials to investigate the former president’s decline. Former officials like Neera Tanden, Anthony Bernthal, and Dr. Kevin O’Connor are set to testify next week. The committee is also looking into the use of the autopen to authorize executive actions without the president’s permission.
Issa believes that the findings of this investigation could inform the drafting of a potential constitutional amendment to improve the 25th Amendment. While amending the Constitution is a challenging process, requiring a two-thirds vote in each chamber and ratification by three-quarters of states, Issa believes it is worth exploring in order to ensure a more effective system for removing a president who is unable to fulfill their duties.
The proposed amendment would need to go through the Judiciary Committee before facing a vote in Congress. Issa emphasized the importance of finding ways to make the system work better in the future, especially in cases where a president’s health or mental state may be in question.
Overall, Issa’s proposal raises important questions about the process of removing a president from office and highlights the need for a thorough and impartial assessment of a president’s ability to carry out their duties. As the investigation continues, the possibility of a constitutional amendment to address these concerns remains on the table.
