McCabe: There were 25th Amendment discussions at DOJ to remove Trump from office

[Terraceth]

The phrase "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office" has a very specific meaning.

Not quite. It could mean the president is literally physically incapable of doing anything, or it could mean that they're seen as a really really bad leader and thus are unable to do so due to incompetence. In any event, the definition is actually irrelevant--all that the Amendment requires is that the required individuals make a written declaration that they view the president as being unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.

[seer]

Not quite. It could mean the president is literally physically incapable of doing anything, or it could mean that they're seen as a really really bad leader and thus are unable to do so due to incompetence. In any event, the definition is actually irrelevant--all that the Amendment requires is that the required individuals make a written declaration that they view the president as being unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.

Who is the "they?" Certainly not political hacks in the Dept. of Justice, that was an attempted coup.

[Mountain Man]

Not quite. It could mean the president is literally physically incapable of doing anything, or it could mean that they're seen as a really really bad leader and thus are unable to do so due to incompetence. In any event, the definition is actually irrelevant--all that the Amendment requires is that the required individuals make a written declaration that they view the president as being unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.

For context, the 25th Amendment was drafted and passed following the assassination of John F. Kennedy and therefore invites a narrow interpretation. Invoking the 25th Amendment simply out of political expediency is clearly contrary to its intent.

[Cow Poke]

You know that it would be his cabinet ditching him right? And that they're conservatives not liberals?

It's the liberals who want him gone - and they're hoping the conservatives are stupid enough to play along. So far, not.

[Terraceth]

Who is the "they?" Certainly not political hacks in the Dept. of Justice, that was an attempted coup.

"In any event, the definition is actually irrelevant--all that the Amendment requires is that the required individuals make a written declaration that they view the president as being unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office."

The "they" quite clearly refers to the "required individuals" mentioned earlier in the sentence. If you're confused as to what I meant by "required individuals," I am referring to "the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide" as specified in the Amendment.

For context, the 25th Amendment was drafted and passed following the assassination of John F. Kennedy and therefore invites a narrow interpretation. Invoking the 25th Amendment simply out of political expediency is clearly contrary to its intent.

Whatever the intent was, the text is clear. All that is required is the transmission in writing of "the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide" (and, should the president object, also 2/3 of each house of congress). That's the plain and unambiguous text of the Amendment. That's exactly why the requirements are so steep (even steeper than impeachment, in fact): To make sure that there's wide agreement that the president needs to be replaced.

[firstfloor]

William Barr’s son-in-law is now a Trump legal adviser. How convenient is that? A nice little back-channel for the conspirators helping to cover up Putin’s control of US foreign policy.

[Starlight]

William Barr’s son-in-law is now a Trump legal adviser.

Jobs for everyone's relatives!

If the swamp overflows, that basically counts as "drained" right?

[Bill the Cat]

William Barr’s son-in-law is now a Trump legal adviser. How convenient is that? A nice little back-channel for the conspirators helping to cover up Putin’s control of US foreign policy.

Considering he has worked for the justice department for quite some time, and is being reassigned from the US Attorney's office with direct access and reporting to the AG to the White House where the reporting line is much less direct. He also has not been assigned to the team responsible for defending the President in the special counsel’s probe.

[Cow Poke]

Considering he has worked for the justice department for quite some time, and is being reassigned from the US Attorney's office with direct access and reporting to the AG to the White House where the reporting line is much less direct. He also has not been assigned to the team responsible for defending the President in the special counsel’s probe.

These guys were also pitching fits when the Obama administration doled out web design for the spectacularly expensive Obamacare website and solar jobs and cash to their supporters, right?