25th Amendment Explained: Can Trump Be Removed Without Impeachment After the Greenland Controversy?

A significant constitutional debate has been reignited by the recent political controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre regarding the United States’ “Complete and Total Control of Greenland”: Is it possible to remove a president under the 25th Amendment without facing impeachment?

Here at clarionews.com, we analyze the amendment’s operation, the opinions of experts, and the likelihood that it could be used against Trump.

Why the 25th Amendment Is Trending Again

In his letter to Støre, Trump stressed the strategic significance of Greenland and bemoaned Norway’s refusal to give him the Nobel Peace Prize, even though the award is determined by the independent Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Strong political reactions followed the letter, with a number of Democrats advocating for the president’s Cabinet to declare him unfit for office under the 25th Amendment.

Since taking office again a year ago, Trump has intensified talks about annexing Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory that is home to a significant U.S. Space Force base at Pituffik. NATO allies are concerned because the White House has not ruled out potential military action.

Since Denmark is a member of NATO, a military assault by the United States would be against Article 5 and could cause the alliance to fall apart.

What Is the 25th Amendment? (Explained Simply)

The 25th Amendment, which was added to the Constitution in 1967 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, describes the transfer of presidential authority in times of emergency.

It has four key sections:

Section 1:

If the president passes away, resigns, or is removed, the vice president takes over as president.

Section 2:

The president appoints and Congress confirms a new vice president in the event that the position becomes vacant.

Section 3:

By giving formal notice to Congress, a president may voluntarily cede authority, for instance, after surgery.

Section 4 (Most Controversial):

The president may be deemed “unable to discharge the powers and duties” of the office by the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet.

To keep the president out of the picture, both chambers must have a two-thirds majority.

Trump’s detractors are now making reference to this passage.

Could the 25th Amendment Actually Remove Trump?

Mark Graber, a law professor at the University of Maryland, told Newsweek that it is legally challenging to use the amendment.

He claimed that the amendment was not intended for political disputes but rather for presidents who are medically or physically incompetent, such as when they are unconscious.

Although some may view Trump’s acts as dangerous, Graber clarified that they fall short of the legal standard for which the 25th Amendment was designed.

In a similar vein, Brian Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University, thinks that Trump’s message to Norway is unlikely to compel his Cabinet to take action.

He pointed out that the amendment can only be triggered by members of Trump’s inner circle, not by the general public.

What Political Leaders Are Saying

A number of Democrats have openly called for the application of the 25th Amendment:

Yassamin Ansari, Representative: “The president suffers from a serious mental illness. We must call upon it right away.

Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a representative: “Donald Trump is obviously out of control and unfit to lead.”

Sen. Ed Markey: “Refer to the 25th Amendment.

Harry Sisson, a political analyst, said that Trump’s late-night posts demonstrate instability.

Concerns have also been expressed by international leaders:

Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed Denmark’s ownership of Greenland..

French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned against a world in which strong nations set the rules for international relations.

Russia’s Sergey Lavrov denounced American actions as unstable.

In response, Trump claimed on Truth Social that since world security is at risk, Denmark and the EU should “give back” the help they have received from the United States.

What Happens Next?

As world leaders oppose Trump’s Greenland stance, he is expected to speak in Davos on Wednesday. His recently declared penalties on European countries that back Denmark are anticipated to go into force on February 1.

Trump may still be subject to internal impeachment pressure even though analysts say it is improbable that he will invoke the 25th Amendment, particularly if he keeps talking about using military force to seize Greenland.

Even among Republicans, Representative Don Bacon has cautioned that taking such action could “be the end of his presidency.”

Final Thoughts

The 25th Amendment is once again in the public spotlight due to the controversy over Trump’s remarks on Greenland. The debate may have increasing political ramifications both domestically and internationally, even though legally invoking it is still unlikely.