What Is the 25th Amendment—and Can It Be Used to Remove Trump From Office?

U.S. Senator Ed Markey has publicly called for former President Donald Trump to be removed from office, urging that the 25th Amendment be invoked amid controversy over Trump’s recent remarks. Markey shared his position on social media, and a small number of Democratic lawmakers echoed concerns about presidential fitness.

It’s important to note that these statements are political calls, not the start of a formal constitutional action. The 25th Amendment outlines a very specific process: the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet must first declare that a sitting president is unable to perform the duties of the office. If the president disputes that claim, Congress would then need a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to uphold the removal. The amendment has never been successfully used to remove a U.S. president.

As of now, there is no official proceeding underway. Analysts view the comments as symbolic political pressure rather than an imminent constitutional move. The episode underscores the deep political divisions in the country and the continuing debate over executive power, accountability, and constitutional mechanisms.