In the wake of the deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, lawmakers and world leaders have denounced the violence as well as President Donald Trump’s incitement of the mob.
The Washington Post’s editorial board joined the chorus on Thursday. “He should be removed,” the paper wrote. “Refusal to accept his election defeat and his relentless incitement of his supporters led Wednesday to the unthinkable: an assault on the U.S. Capitol by a violent mob that overwhelmed police and drove Congress from its chambers as it was debating the counting of electoral votes. Responsibility for this act of sedition lies squarely with the president, who has shown that his continued tenure in office poses a grave threat to U.S. democracy.”
The editorial board specifically cited the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which says that a sitting president who is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,” can be replaced by the vice president.
Various lawmakers who were on the Senate floor when the Capitol building was breached have asked for Trump’s impeachment as a result of the riots, and a now-growing number are asking for his immediate removal. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Florida) referenced the amendment directly in his now viral tweet, “The 25th Amendment allows for the removal of a President. It’s time to remove the President.”
