The Contrarian editor(s)-in-chief-- two of your authors recently posted articles about the current strong interest in Amendment 25, Section 4. I believe the 2 articles contradict one another in describing how the chambers of Congress would rule in a case where the President disputes being removed from office through Amendment 25, Section 4.
In one Contrarian article, Norm Ornstein writes: "...with a 2/3rds vote in BOTH houses NEEDED to keep the vice president in the office...[my emphases by caps] "
-- This, correctly I think, means that BOTH chambers of Congress need to agree (by a 2/3 vote in each) that the president's removal from power is valid and shall persist. Therefore, if either (or, both) chamber(s) does NOT reach a 2/3 majority vote approving the removal from power, the president returns to power.
In the other Contrarian article, Ben Sheehan writes: "But if BOTH houses CAN'T reach a two thirds vote, then Trump GOES BACK TO BEING PRESIDENT...[my emphases by caps]"
-- I think this phrasing is incorrect and would literally mean that the president would return to power only if both chambers don't each reach 2/3 vote to validate the removal from office. In other words, if either chamber voted by 2/3 to validate the removal from power and the other failed to reach 2/3 vote approving the removal, then the president's removal from power would persist.
Are my logical interpretations above accurate? And, am I correct that Norm Ornstein's phrasing is the proper explanation of Amendment 25, Section 4?
So Vance as "acting president", not actually "president" still be eligible for 2 full terms when his "acting" reaches end or term? Is "Acting President" sufficient for the "acting a President" of the 22nd Amendment? Trump himself has declared the 22nd Amendment not operable. He continues to insist that he was elected in 2016 and 2020 (twice). Thus he was ineligible for election again in 2024 (more than twice).
Is the vice-presidency vacant when the vice-president is acting as President?
Scary to me as having Mr. Vance assume the Presidency, not removing Mr. Trump is worse. It is time!
The Contrarian editor(s)-in-chief-- two of your authors recently posted articles about the current strong interest in Amendment 25, Section 4. I believe the 2 articles contradict one another in describing how the chambers of Congress would rule in a case where the President disputes being removed from office through Amendment 25, Section 4.
In one Contrarian article, Norm Ornstein writes: "...with a 2/3rds vote in BOTH houses NEEDED to keep the vice president in the office...[my emphases by caps] "
-- This, correctly I think, means that BOTH chambers of Congress need to agree (by a 2/3 vote in each) that the president's removal from power is valid and shall persist. Therefore, if either (or, both) chamber(s) does NOT reach a 2/3 majority vote approving the removal from power, the president returns to power.
In the other Contrarian article, Ben Sheehan writes: "But if BOTH houses CAN'T reach a two thirds vote, then Trump GOES BACK TO BEING PRESIDENT...[my emphases by caps]"
-- I think this phrasing is incorrect and would literally mean that the president would return to power only if both chambers don't each reach 2/3 vote to validate the removal from office. In other words, if either chamber voted by 2/3 to validate the removal from power and the other failed to reach 2/3 vote approving the removal, then the president's removal from power would persist.
Are my logical interpretations above accurate? And, am I correct that Norm Ornstein's phrasing is the proper explanation of Amendment 25, Section 4?
Lee Johnson
near Taos, NM
The description of the process made me think of that old Everly Brother's song ""All I Have to Do Is Dream""
So Vance as "acting president", not actually "president" still be eligible for 2 full terms when his "acting" reaches end or term? Is "Acting President" sufficient for the "acting a President" of the 22nd Amendment? Trump himself has declared the 22nd Amendment not operable. He continues to insist that he was elected in 2016 and 2020 (twice). Thus he was ineligible for election again in 2024 (more than twice).
Is the vice-presidency vacant when the vice-president is acting as President?
This would be like replacing Hitler with Himmler. Chaotic evil or lawful evil? At the cost of a lot of political capital. I do not see the upside.