How Donald Trump can be kicked out without being impeached

It seems impeachment is the only way we can get out of this mess that is Donald Trump.

But there is something else – a glimmer of hope – that could mean Trump can be kicked out of the White House without having to be impeached.

It’s all thanks to a little thing called section 4 of the 25^th amendment to the constitution- which was ratified in 1967.

According to this little lifesaver, the vice president and majority of the cabinet secretaries can write to the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives, letting them know they don’t think the president is able to fulfil his duties.

The vice president would then become acting president – which in this case, would be Mike Pence.

If this happened to Trump, he would have 21 days to convince a two-thirds majority of both Congressional chambers otherwise.

At present Trump's party, the Republicans, have majorities in both chambers, but his opponents cross party lines.

Why does this even exist?

The preceding section of the 25th allows for the president to declare themselves incapable, as presidents have done when undergoing a general anaesthetic, as George W. Bush did in 2002 and 2007.

Section four exists to cover presidents who fall seriously ill, due to a debilitating disease or accident, and are unable to declare themselves unfit.

In 1919 president Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke, and spent months in a paralysed state, while his wife and doctors kept the fact hidden from the public.

First Lady Edith Wilson even went as far as to sign documents on Wilson's behalf.

Section four is the only part of the 25th amendment which has never actually been invoked – yet.

But if 2016 has proven anything, it's that anything can happen.

HT Vox

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