Accusations Against Harris
At the rally, Trump directly accused Vice President Harris of concealing President Biden’s mental state. He argued that her actions amounted to a conspiracy, shielding Biden from being exposed as incapable of performing his presidential duties.
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According to Trump, such actions should warrant the immediate impeachment and removal of the vice president. He further implied that Biden should have already been removed if his fitness had been scrutinized earlier.
The 25th Amendment’s Origins
The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1965, was introduced in the wake of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Its primary function is to establish procedures for transferring presidential powers in the event of death, incapacitation, or removal from office.
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Trump’s proposal seeks to expand the amendment’s scope by adding provisions that specifically address vice presidential actions in concealing a president’s incapacity.
Trump’s Past Experience with the 25th Amendment
Interestingly, Trump’s own administration once considered invoking the 25th Amendment against him. Steven Mnuchin, Trump’s former Treasury Secretary, revealed in 2022 that discussions about using the amendment took place with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after the January 6 Capitol riots.
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This revelation highlights the broader political context in which Trump is now calling for changes to the amendment.
Challenges of Amending the 25th Amendment
Modifying the 25th Amendment, while possible, is no easy task. The amendment process is intentionally difficult, requiring significant consensus across both the federal government and state legislatures.
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A proposed amendment must first receive a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or be called for by two-thirds of state legislatures. This ensures that any change reflects broad agreement among lawmakers.
The Amendment Ratification Process
After an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, meaning 38 out of 50 states. Alternatively, ratification can occur through special state conventions, though this method is rarely used.
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Given the complexities of this process, Trump’s proposal to modify the 25th Amendment would face significant obstacles, requiring widespread support across the political spectrum.
Polls on Biden’s Mental Fitness
A poll conducted by Newsweek following a June 2023 debate suggested that a notable number of 2020 Biden voters supported using the 25th Amendment to remove Biden from office.
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This poll, conducted before Biden withdrew from the presidential race, reflects a degree of public concern regarding his mental fitness, lending some credence to Trump’s claims, though the extent of such sentiment remains debatable.
Harris Defends Biden
Vice President Harris has consistently defended Biden’s mental and physical abilities. In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris strongly affirmed Biden’s competence, stating that he possesses the intelligence, commitment, and judgment necessary to serve as president.
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Harris further emphasized her personal experience working closely with Biden, asserting that he is fully capable of leading the country.
Trump’s Attacks on Harris
Since Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, Trump has intensified his attacks on Harris. He accused both Harris and the media of covering up Biden’s deteriorating condition, referencing Biden’s performance in the first debate of the 2023 election cycle.
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Trump, however, has been calling for Biden’s removal from office since September 2023, long before Biden officially withdrew from the race.
Trump’s Shift in Focus
Initially, Trump advocated for using the 25th Amendment to remove Biden. However, with Biden no longer in the race, Trump has shifted his focus toward Harris.
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His call to modify the 25th Amendment now centers on the vice president’s actions, portraying Harris as the central figure in covering up Biden’s alleged incapacities. This pivot in rhetoric demonstrates Trump’s adaptability in framing his political arguments.
Retargeting His Criticism
Trump has also adjusted his messaging to reflect the new political landscape. In recent speeches, he has replaced Biden’s name with Harris in his talking points, such as referring to the Department of Justice as “Harris’ Department of Justice.”
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This strategy of retargeting his criticism illustrates Trump’s tactic of reshaping his narrative to match his evolving political opposition.
Repeated References in His Speech
During Trump’s 90-minute speech in Wisconsin, he referenced Biden and Harris numerous times. He mentioned Biden by various names—“Joe,” “Sleepy Joe,” “Joe Biden”—22 times.
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Harris was referenced 16 times, using terms like “comrade Kamala” and “Kamala Harris.” This repetition underscores the importance Trump places on attacking both Biden and Harris as central figures in his campaign.