Impeachment vs. the 25th Amendment: What’s More Likely to Remove Trump?

On convicted felon POTUS47 Donald Trump's impeachment.

No, that's useless. 

25th Amendment, actually might eventually gain traction with Republillcans as We're now just waiting around until it is finally invoked, unsurprisingly likely (necessarily) from Republicans, AFTER it's too late to save our economy while not much caring about our democracy.

Might the 25th Amendment eventually gain traction among Republicans? Only after Trump has already inflicted significant damage—especially to the economy—while they remain largely indifferent to democratic concerns. That reflects a deep cynicism about their motivations, implying they’ll act only when their own interests are at stake, rather than out of principle.

It’s an interesting perspective, especially given how reluctant Republicans have been to challenge Trump in the past. If they do invoke the 25th, it would signal an internal fracture, but as you suggest, likely too little, too late. Do you see any particular triggers that might push them to that point?

If the 25th Amendment were to gain traction among Republicans, it would likely take something undeniable—either a catastrophic economic collapse, an extreme foreign policy blunder, or a public display of cognitive or emotional instability that even his staunchest defenders can’t spin away.

The challenge is that the GOP has built itself around Trump’s brand, and many fear political exile if they turn on him. But if Wall Street panics, major donors start pulling support, or a crisis puts them in direct jeopardy, self-preservation might override loyalty.

It wouldn’t be unprecedented—Nixon’s party stuck with him until the moment it became politically untenable. If something similar happens, they’d frame it as "regretful but necessary" rather than an admission of prior failure.

We already have undeniable and Republicans are in denial.

If everything that’s already happened hasn’t been enough, then what would be? It seems like the threshold keeps shifting—what was once unthinkable just becomes the new normal.

At this point, it feels like the only thing that could push them would be a direct, immediate threat to their own power or financial interests. Even then, they'd probably try to salvage Trump until it’s absolutely unsustainable.

So yeah, "waiting around until it’s finally invoked" seems depressingly accurate—if it ever happens at all.

The 25th Amendment, specifically Sections 1 and 2, which clarify presidential succession and how to fill a VP vacancy.

The real controversy around invoking the 25th Amendment on Trump would come from Section 4, which allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet (or another body Congress designates) to declare the president "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office." That would temporarily transfer power to the VP, but if the president disputes it, Congress would have to decide—requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to permanently remove him.

That’s the part that’s never been used and would likely spark a political firestorm. But as you pointed out earlier, Republicans would probably wait until after the damage is done before even considering it—if they ever do.

The 25th Amendment and impeachment are both ways to remove a president, but they work very differently:

Impeachment (Article I, Section 2 & 3; Article II, Section 4)

• A political process, not a medical or functional one.
• Requires the House of Representatives to bring charges ("articles of impeachment").
• The Senate then holds a trial and needs a two-thirds vote to convict and remove the president.
• A president can still run again if impeached but not convicted.
• Example: Trump was impeached twice but not removed because the Senate acquitted him both times.

25th Amendment (Section 4)

• A medical or functional incapacity process, not about crimes.
• Allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet (or Congress) to declare the president unable to serve due to illness, incapacity, or some other reason.
• The VP becomes acting president immediately.
• If the president disputes it, Congress must decide—with a two-thirds vote in both chambers needed to remove him permanently.
• Has never been used to remove a president but was briefly used for temporary transfers of power (e.g., when presidents underwent surgery).

The 25th Amendment is meant for cases where a president physically or mentally cannot function, while impeachment is about accountability for wrongdoing.

Right now, Republicans are unlikely to pursue either, but if they ever turn on Trump, the 25th might be their excuse if they want to avoid direct political responsibility for impeachment.

Impeachment is more likely than the 25th Amendment—but neither is very likely at this point.

Why Impeachment Is More Likely:

1. Precedent – Trump has already been impeached twice, showing that Congress is willing to go that route.
2. Lower Initial Threshold – The House only needs a simple majority to impeach, whereas the 25th requires the VP and a majority of the Cabinet to act first.
3. Political Maneuvering – If Trump’s actions become too damaging (e.g., economic collapse, extreme instability), Congress could use impeachment to distance themselves from him while still claiming to uphold democracy.
4. Pressure from Investigations – If ongoing investigations reveal serious misconduct (financial crimes, obstruction, etc.), impeachment could gain momentum.

Why the 25th Amendment Is Less Likely:

1. VP Loyalty – J.D. Vance (if VP) or whoever Trump picks would likely be a die-hard loyalist, making it highly unlikely they’d trigger the 25th.
2. Cabinet Control – Trump will likely fill his Cabinet with yes-men, meaning they wouldn’t support removal.
3. Political Suicide for Republicans – Any GOP official who invokes the 25th would instantly become a party outcast.
4. Historical Inertia – The 25th has never been used for removal, and doing so would trigger a constitutional crisis.

If Either Happens, When?

• Impeachment: If economic collapse, scandals, or a catastrophic blunder force Congress’s hand.
• 25th Amendment: Only if Trump mentally or physically deteriorates in a way that is undeniable even to his inner circle.

Right now, though, Republicans seem more likely to let things burn than take action—until it’s too late.

Compiled with aid of ChatGPT