Former CIA director John Brennan has quoted the Constitution in a scathing comment about Donald Trump’s leadership abilities, as he urges US citizens of a dark future ahead.
Trump has faced a wave of criticism in recent days after a series of headline-making moments: posting and then deleting an image of himself that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ, branding Pope Leo as ‘weak’ over his view on the Iran war, claiming Iranians are only alive to negotiate, and lashing out at Greenland.
The past week has brought intense scrutiny online, with many commentators weighing in on what they see as erratic behavior from the president.
And the backlash hasn’t been confined to social media. Former senior officials have also publicly challenged Trump’s judgment and fitness for office.
Brennan, who ran the CIA from 2013 to 2017, has been particularly outspoken about the war on Iran, which began on February 28.
He disputed the administration’s claims about Tehran’s intentions, insisting that ‘Iran didn’t post an imminent threat,’ despite Trump’s claims of a potential attack from the nation.
Brennan also pointed to the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution — the provision that outlines how a president deemed unable to serve can be removed — arguing it was written with people like Trump ‘in mind.’
According to the Ronald Raegan Presidential Library & Museum, the 25th Amendment’s Section 1 ‘authorizes the vice president to become the president upon the former’s removal from office, resignation, or death’.
Speaking with Ali Velshi on MS NOW, Brennan said Trump’s ‘ignorance,’ and ‘compulsive lying,’ were a serious concern.
He warned that with Trump serving as commander-in-chief, ‘we really are in very, very troubling times’.
He explained: “I think the 25th Amendment was written with Donald Trumps in mind, because allowing someone like this to continue to be the commander-in-chief and to control the tremendous capabilities of the U.S. military, including our nuclear weapons capability, which he seemed to allude to when he said he’s going to just eliminate an entire civilization… Again, we really are in very, very troubling times.”
Brennan isn’t the only high-profile figure to raise the prospect of the 25th Amendment. In recent days, even controversial political commentators who have previously championed MAGA politics — including Alex Jones — have publicly floated the idea.
Trump, responding to his critics, accused the commentators of having a ‘low IQ’.
“How do we 25th Amendment his ass?” Jones asked his audience on Monday as part of his InfoWars show.
Still, triggering the 25th Amendment would require agreement at the highest levels of the executive branch. JD Vance and other key officials would need to support the move, after which Vance would assume Trump’s responsibilities.
Per the National Constitution Center: “Whenever 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, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”
Given the level of support Trump maintains within his administration, such a step appears unlikely.