House Democratic leaders have signaled openness to discussions about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office, following a surge of concern over his recent threats toward Iran. On Wednesday (April 8), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York scheduled a Friday briefing for Democrats, which will be led by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and members of the House Judiciary Committee, to review the process and implications of the 25th Amendment.

The renewed focus comes after President Trump posted on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” referencing U.S. military threats if Iran did not comply with reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He also used strong language in a separate Easter post, demanding Iran’s action or face dire consequences. These statements sparked immediate criticism from Democrats, who argued that the rhetoric was dangerous and potentially unlawful.

More than four dozen Democratic lawmakers, including prominent figures like Rep. Raskin and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have publicly called for Trump’s Cabinet to use the 25th Amendment to deem him unfit for office. Pelosi said, “Donald Trump’s instability is more clear and dangerous than ever."

Under the 25th Amendment, the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet would need to agree that the president is unable to serve. If the president challenges this decision, a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate would be required to remove him, a threshold higher than for impeachment. Current Republican control of Congress makes such removal highly unlikely, with most Republican lawmakers either defending Trump or remaining silent about his threats. Some, like Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, have dismissed the calls as partisan attacks, while a few Republicans, including Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, have expressed concern about the possibility of escalated conflict.

Democratic leaders have largely stopped short of formally demanding the 25th Amendment’s use, instead urging Congress to reconvene and vote on ending what they describe as a “reckless war of choice.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other top Democrats condemned Trump’s message, stating his threats could constitute war crimes and undermine American values.

Despite the calls, actual removal via the 25th Amendment or impeachment remains unlikely at this time. Democrats say they are not ruling out any constitutional measure, but acknowledge the political and procedural hurdles ahead.

Mark Blazor