How do we get a president to undergo a psych exam?

[Cyrano]

It seems apparent to any casual observer that this man's mental functions aren't quite normal.

I know there's no way that he can be forced to undergo a clinical exam. But it seems to me that Trump is a textbook case of why the 25th Amendment was passed.

So here we are. A country with a mentally questionable person in charge. And he's running amok.

I suppose there's no one to blame here. Other than his cabinet, (none of whom will bring up the 25th Amendment), the entire Republican Party, and every single person who voted for him.

[onenote]

1. Actually, the "textbook" case of why the 25th amendment was passed

was to deal with a situation where a president was physically unable to perform the duties of the office, such as when a president is in a coma, or unconscious, or even under sedation during surgery.

It was not passed to deal with a situation where a president behaves in a way that most, but not all, of the country considers irrational. Trump can still perform the duties of the office, even if we think his decisions are awful. He can sign bills. He can veto bills. He can make appointments. The 25th Amendment really isn't a good vehicle for dealing with someone who is able to perform the duties of the office but is off his rocker. Plus, of course, it's harder to successfully invoke the 25th Amendment to remove a president than it is to remove a president through the impeachment/conviction route.

[Cyrano]

5. Thanks, onenote. Didn't know the conditions it referred to.

[jberryhill]

2. The 25th Amendment does not require a psych exam

Additionally, "why the 25th Amendment was passed" had more to do with the potential brain death or severe incapacitation of the president arising from various "what if" scenarios around JFK having been shot in the head.

[Historic NY]

3. Tell him its designed to imporve his golf game.

He cheats.

[unblock]

4. no, the 25th amendment (section 4, really) wasn't really created with someone like donnie in mind.

it was created with someone like woodrow wilson in mind. someone who was really incapacitated by a stroke, or who was in a coma.

someone that the *vast* majority of people, including many people who voted for them, would agree they can't perform the duties of president.

merely having some mental or emotional issues isn't enough, no matter how disturbing those of us in opposition to him find it.


remember that it's notably *harder than impeachment* to remove someone via the 25th amendment as it also requires 2/3rds of the house instead of just simple majority. it also requires the vice-president and a majority of the cabinet.

it was not intended to get rid of even a profoundly unpopular president. those closest to him, who owe their jobs to him, have to give up on him.

that's a tall order for someone who can still talk and sign documents and string together sentences. well, short sentences. with small words. but still....

[Goonch]

6. One Way

[lpbk2713]

7. Wait until he holds a presser with no pants on.

And instead of talking blows bubbles with his spit.

Any day now.

[Kingofalldems]

8. He got something during his fake physical last year.

[Hortensis]

9. Guessing if he's ever faced with prison, he'll ask for one.

One of the authors of the 25th is still around and says it wouldn't apply. He says Trump is what those who voted for him basically knew he was. No hidden mental deficiencies, all right out in the open for everyone to see.

The people's choice.

[Silver1]

10. How do we get a president to undergo a psych exam?

If trump won't do it maybe Trumpy Bear can take it for him. No difference ...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211419159

[libdem4life]

11. I think it's going to be up to Republican voters fleeing their congressional representatives.

Once it's clear that their constituents are fed up, albeit slowly, they will be the first to know, or at least sense the danger to their careers. It was the Republicans who convinced Nixon to resign...so he could save face. It worked that time.

This one may have no face to save, so who knows. His party has never liked him much, but he wowed/conned the Republican Tea Party Base and Russia to install him anyway.

To me, that's the canary in the mine...real Republicans, not the con man who took over their party.

[UTUSN]

12. K&R