Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) introduced a resolution on Friday that called for Vice President Kamala Harris to call a Cabinet meeting and declare President Joe Biden ineligible to carry out his official duties in accordance with the 25th Amendment, causing a sharp rise in political tensions. This action comes after Biden’s performance, which drew harsh criticism, during a CNN debate with former President Donald Trump.

A Resolution Addressing Issues Raised During Debate

Following Biden’s debating performance, which alarmed Democrats and political pundits alike, the resolution was passed. Biden made several grammatical errors and seemed to lose his train of thought during the debate, casting doubt on his mental capacity.

Roy declared on social media platform X that he planned to present a resolution that would urge the Vice President to promptly utilize her authority under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to gather and organize the Cabinet’s principal officers. The purpose of the gathering would be to declare that President Trump is incapable of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of his office.

The Resolution’s Specifics

The President Biden’s “repeated and public demonstration of his inability to discharge the powers and duties of the Presidency, including, among others, the powers and duties of the Commander-in-Chief” is emphasized in Roy’s resolution. Although Vice President Harris and the Cabinet would not be forced to take action, the resolution is an important call to action from the House of Representatives.

In an address to reporters, Roy emphasized his worries, saying, “I believe that anybody with eyes and anybody watching objectively last night saw an individual that is not capable of carrying out the duties of the commander-in-chief in a world where we’re, you know, facing increasing dangers.”

In favor and Against

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) of the House expressed similar views to Roy, recommending that the president be removed by Biden’s Cabinet. But he also conceded to the constraints imposed by the constitution, saying, “Unfortunately, the Cabinet—rather than the House—makes that determination in accordance with the Constitution.”

There has never been a request to use 25th Amendment Section 4. In the event that the president is deemed incapable of carrying out his duties, the vice president may assume the role of acting president with the support of the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet.

The White House’s Reaction and Vice President Harris

Vice President Harris praised Vice President Biden’s “strong finish” while acknowledging a “slow start” in a CNN interview in defense of his debate performance. She maintained that Biden distinguished himself clearly from Trump by emphasizing content rather than style. Take a look at what transpired during the discussion. As he has a tendency to do, Donald Trump has repeatedly lied, according to Harris.

Ernie Apreza, a spokesman for Harris, called Roy’s resolution a political ploy and reiterated her commitment to working with Biden for a second term.

A spokesman for the White House, Andrew Bates, attacked Roy as well, citing an earlier social media post in which the Texas Republican complimented Biden’s ability to negotiate during talks about raising the debt limit. Bates maintained that Biden had maintained significant economic investments vital to his reelection campaign, arguing that he had outnegotiated Republicans.

Congressman Roy concurred that President Biden “effectively out-negotiated the GOP” a year ago, according to Bates, after Speaker McCarthy claimed that Biden was “Very professional, very smart, and very tough at the same time” during those same negotiations. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the Democratic President with the most legislative accomplishments in modern history would threaten Congressman Roy.

Political Consequences

The responses to Roy’s resolution and the resolution itself show how divided American politics are becoming, especially with the 2024 presidential election drawing near. In addition to energizing Biden’s opponents, the debate performance and fallout may have an impact on voters’ opinions of Biden’s leadership qualities.

Although the 25th Amendment has long been discussed in relation to presidential eligibility, using it would be unprecedented and politically dangerous. While the discussion rages on, both parties are getting ready for a hard-fought election season where every move and word will be closely examined.
The extreme scrutiny and significant stakes of the current political environment are highlighted by Representative Chip Roy’s call to invoke the 25th Amendment against President Biden. Although it is unlikely to compel quick action, the resolution heightens persistent worries about Biden’s leadership and creates the conditions for a contentious discussion in the months to come. The storyline leading up to the 2024 election will be shaped by the ramifications of this political scheming as the country watches.