Shocked by the President's erratic behavior and comments during recent weeks, sources close to Vice President Mike Pence reveal that he has been in serious discussions with key members of Donald Trump's cabinet with the intent of declaring him "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office," thereby elevating Pence to the post of Acting President. Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which clearly provides for removal of an unfit president, has never been used before.
While no specific cabinet members have been unequivocally associated with the plot, the unidentified sources suggest that the secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce and Treasury are among those involved. All of them have been critical of Trump's actions regarding Russia, NATO, the European union, tariffs and separation of illegal immigrant children from their refugee parents. Seven cabinet officers plus Pence would meet the amendment's requirement for declaring the president unfit to serve.
Pence as an acting president is especially appealing to conservatives since he would continue the administration's hard line that calls for repeal of virtually all the environmental changes of the Obama years and would pursue a social agenda in keeping with ultra rightist views.
Under the amendment, Trump could declare to congressional leaders that he is capable of serving. Unless two-thirds of each house voted that he was unable to discharge his duties, he would resume the presidency. Those supporting the effort to remove Trump are convinced that both houses would declare him incompetent, believing that Pence as president would help incumbents in the midterm elections more than Trump would, and that Pence would carry out the Republican agenda without the furor created by Trump's conduct.
Sources also believe that removal of Trump through the amendment would be easier than an impeachment. They think that action by the Vice President and cabinet will come quickly.
