SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for invoking the Twenty-fifth Amendment against President Donald Trump after the president’s remarks about Iran potentially attacking Los Angeles and San Diego.
Newsom described Trump as “mentally ill” in comments reported by Fox News. The White House rejected criticism of the remarks, saying Trump was explaining the danger Iran could pose if it obtained nuclear weapons.
Trump made the comments Monday at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, while discussing the conflict with Iran and its economic costs.
“They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego,” Trump said.
Newsom condemned the statement, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also criticized the president’s language.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump was describing a threat that U.S. military action sought to prevent. He argued that critics had misinterpreted the speech.
Newsom’s demand does not initiate the constitutional process. A governor has no authority to invoke the amendment.
Under its presidential-inability provision, the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet—or another body Congress establishes by law—must declare that the president cannot discharge the powers and duties of the office. The vice president would then become acting president.
If the president contests the declaration and the vice president and Cabinet maintain their position, Congress must resolve the dispute. Both chambers would need a two-thirds majority to keep presidential authority with the vice president.
The provision transfers presidential powers; it does not itself remove the president from office.
