Capitol violence: Will 25th Amendment be invoked? Stevie Wonder, Mark Ruffalo among many who want Donald Trump out
As the Capitol sees a riot, thanks to many Donald Trump supporters, many took to Twitter asking for the 25th Amendment to be invoked. Many are of the opinion that the riot that began on January 6, 2021, has now become dangerous, and while President Trump isn't able to handle the situation, invoking 25th Amendment might be the only way to ease the situation. Even Twitter locked Trump's account due to the tweets that he had posted. "As a result of the unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, D.C., we have required the removal of three @realDonaldTrump Tweets that were posted earlier today for repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy," the site tweeted. They also added, "This means that the account of @realDonaldTrump will be locked for 12 hours following the removal of these Tweets. If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked."
As a result of the unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, D.C., we have required the removal of three @realDonaldTrump Tweets that were posted earlier today for repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy. https://t.co/k6OkjNG3bM
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) January 7, 2021
This means that the account of @realDonaldTrump will be locked for 12 hours following the removal of these Tweets. If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked.
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) January 7, 2021
What is the 25th Amendment?
Simply speaking, the 25th amendment in the US Constitution states that if the President is unable to perform his duties, the Vice President (Mike Pence) acts as the President. It calls for this action, as The Sun states, only if the president is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office". It also adds, "The president, vice president and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
How will this affect Trump?
Should the 25th Amendment be invoked, Trump would be removed from office and Pence would take over. Recent news saw that Congress couldn't help but take upon a recess since #MAGA supporters bombarded Capitol Hill. California Representative Ted Lieu called for the removal of Trump tweeting, "This assault on our nation’s Capitol is a coup attempt and all those involved should be prosecuted as such. Also, for those Dems saying we shouldn’t impeach @realDonaldTrump again? You are wrong."
This assault on our nation’s Capitol is a coup attempt and all those involved should be prosecuted as such.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 6, 2021
Also, for those Dems saying we shouldn’t impeach @realDonaldTrump again? You are wrong. https://t.co/N2L3wg4rnP
Trump had tweeted, "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" But nothing seems to have mattered. People took to Twitter to shed light on the situation and called for the immediate invoking of this very important amendment. Many from US politics were part of this movement as well. "The 25th amendment must be invoked by the cabinet tonight to remove President Trump from office. VP Pence, Speaker Pelosi, & Sen. Grassley are 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the line of succession and they were effectively trapped in the Capitol today at the instigation of the President," tweeted Congressman Bill Keating.
The 25th amendment must be invoked by the cabinet tonight to remove President Trump from office.
— Congressman Bill Keating (@USRepKeating) January 7, 2021
VP Pence, Speaker Pelosi, & Sen. Grassley are 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the line of succession and they were effectively trapped in the Capitol today at the instigation of the President.
"President Trump is wholly unfit to serve as commander-in-chief. After today's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol incited by the president, he should either resign, be impeached again by Congress or removed by the Cabinet under the 25th Amendment," wrote Rep. Dan Kilde.
President Trump is wholly unfit to serve as commander-in-chief.
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 7, 2021
After today's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol incited by the president, he should either resign, be impeached again by Congress or removed by the Cabinet under the 25th Amendment.
Among the many others who thought Trump was unfit to serve his country was Stevie Wonder, who tweeted, "It is time for the leaders of this country to invoke the 25th Amendment. Isn’t it obvious? Today has made me sad with disbelief with what is happening in my country, a country that has inspired my songs of hope and love." Meanwhile Alyssa Milano wrote, ".@VP We are asking you to do your duty and invoke the 25th Amendment. #RemoveTrumpNow."
Many other celebrities also added to the movement asking for the amendment to be invoked. Actor Mark Ruffalo tweeted, "25th Amendment! That's the Tweet. #CoupAttempt."
Actress Amber Tamblyn tweeted, "Invoke. The. 25th. Amendment." Singer Anita Baker tweeted, "25th amendment. he has lost/abandoned his ability to Govern... watching TV."
It is time for the leaders of this country to invoke the 25th Amendment. Isn’t it obvious? Today has made me sad with disbelief with what is happening in my country, a country that has inspired my songs of hope and love.
— Stevie Wonder (@StevieWonder) January 6, 2021
.@VP We are asking you to do your duty and invoke the 25th Amendment. #RemoveTrumpNow
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 7, 2021
25th amendment.
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) January 6, 2021
he has lost/abandoned his ability to Govern
... watching :tv: TV. https://t.co/TtF6M7wK7l