California Governor Gavin Newsom caused a significant reaction online with his response to President Donald Trump’s speech on election integrity. Newsom suggested invoking the 25th Amendment due to what he described as Trump’s cognitive issues.
The only thing missing in Donald Trump’s speech was tin foil. This was a legitimate 25th Amendment moment — the rambling of a mad king.
The call for the 25th Amendment aligns with ongoing Democratic concerns about Trump’s mental fitness. However, this move also sparked controversy. Critics pointed out the inconsistency in Democrats’ handling of similar concerns about former President Joe Biden.
The 25th Amendment, added to the Constitution in 1967, allows the Cabinet to declare the president unfit for duty. Congress can also create an independent body to assess presidential capabilities.
Some viewed the case against Trump as stronger during the last administration. The official Republican National Committee criticized Democrats for supporting Biden despite doubts about his mental acuity.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha commented on Newsom’s previous praise of Biden, suggesting that Newsom should refrain from pursuing Trump now. Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch accused Newsom of wanting to remove Trump for his claims about election vulnerabilities and foreign interference.
During his address, Trump announced that his administration had found weaknesses in election integrity. He claimed that foreign data theft, mainly by China, had occurred. He alleged that U.S. officials had known for years about these vulnerabilities, resulting in Americans being misled.
Fox News Digital couldn’t verify the content of newly declassified documents at that moment. Newsom and others questioned Trump’s speech, suggesting ulterior motives, particularly given its timing ahead of the November midterms.
Harry Sisson, a Democratic influencer, supported Newsom’s call for the 25th Amendment, labeling Trump as unfit for office. Rep. Yassamin Ansari mirrored these sentiments, highlighting Trump’s alleged constant lying and urgency to act.
Ansari has previously supported using the 25th Amendment, advocating for an independent group to evaluate any president’s cognitive state, comprising past presidents and medical experts.
Some conservatives expressed concerns about the potential consequences of invoking the 25th Amendment, emphasizing the risks to democracy.
Meanwhile, Leo Briceno of Fox News criticized the perceived lack of scrutiny on Trump’s age compared to Biden’s.