Furious Democrats float Trump impeachment, 25th Amendment over "insane" Venezuela attack

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: msn/Axios

10h

Amid Democrats' fury over the Trump administration's unilateral strike on Venezuela and capture of President Nicholás Maduro, some lawmakers went so far as to call for President Trump's removal from office.

Why it matters: The Venezuela strike has escalated already-boiling tensions between Trump and congressional Democrats, who are furious about Congress being left in the dark.

"I had absolutely no briefing or heads up," House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.) fumed to Axios. "I received all information from the news media at this point."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), in a joint statement, demanded briefings for their members "early next week."

Driving the news: U.S. forces extradited Maduro and his wife to the U.S. in an operation early Saturday morning that involved airstrikes on several military sites in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/furious-democrats-float-trump-impeachment-25th-amendment-over-insane-venezuela-attack/ar-AA1Tw7aX

[NJCher]

1. More media incompetence

It is only logical that Trump needs to be impeached. This article, however, characterizes it as an angry response.

One listen to Heather Cox Richardson’s latest podcast explains the dangerous territory we are in. It is imperative that we get Trump out of the presidency.

I have an indivisible meeting early this week. I am betting that a nationwide march to support impeachment will be discussed.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. 100+

[Bengus81]

22. That insane NAZI would drop a nuke if he thought it would put Epstein files on hold

for a week,a month. Who cares who gets killed...........

[Paper Roses]

52. Not just impeachment..We require Removal from office.

This president is a terrorist. He must be removed by any means. Impeachment is just another black mark, It means nothing unless he is removed from office and made responsible for his law breaking exploits.

We the people are the ones who will suffer. Not just our financial stability but out reputation throughout the world.
I'm sick of this stance.....or no stance... by Congress. How much more can we as a country survive the horror that trump in making us face?

[Katinfl]

53. Impeachment means nothing.

He’s been done that path twice before and then gets elected again. Not to mention 34 felony counts. I could go on and on. Unless, and until, an impeachment leads to a conviction in the Senate, it is a waste of time. IMO.

[demosincebirth]

59. Yup, a waste of time unless the democrats

control the House and the Senate. Praying for this year’s elections.

[Katinfl]

60. That's pretty much all we have left. Will it be enough?

[demosincebirth]

69. It's possible

[Aussie105]

3. Unfortunately.

The mess Trump is making is being noticed around the world.

And in most instances, Trump gets the blame, but he is mad and worthy of the 25th Amendment.
Which doesn't seem to be happening any day now.

Most of the blame will go to America, firstly for voting Trump in twice, and secondly for letting him do what he has been doing for years.
Unchecked.

No other country would tolerate this level of crass insanity.

[LuvLoogie]

33. And they would be correct.

The bigotry and greed has been indulged for centuries. There are 10s of millions of shit souls, dupes, and clueless don't-give-a-shits to leverage into a shit ton of cash and power.

[Just Jerome]

4. American excrementalism

[Shipwack]

5. "Early next week"? Really?

That’s your starting position?



I guess I should be grateful that they aren’t threatening strongly worded letters…

[tonekat]

14. Schumer is useless, N/T

[Bengus81]

20. Jeffries signed his name to the same....early next week bullshit

[DUU]

27. Tonekat: POST. OF. THE. WEEK!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

62. Get a new schtick

[Shipwack]

63. Schumer, or I? nt

[Bluetus]

6. So they are butt-hurt that they were disrespected by not getting a briefing?

Of all the things Trump has done, THIS is where they draw the line?

[Anxy]

43. only one Congressman mentioned impeachment

It's linkbait.

[jaymac]

7. floating

the idea of impeachment......sorta like "we'll have a health care plan in two weeks" empty verbiage

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

9. I have friends messaging me, "IMPEACH TRUMP"...

... and asking me for insight (hey, I hang out at DU, ya know) on issues.

I have to point out all the "other things" going on, and impeachment is not an instant thing. And the last times he was impeached, the Senate refused to convict. Of course, "Dems turning it blue in '26", gets tossed into the mix.

I hate to be a negative Nellie on this impeachment issue(s).

But I am perhaps playing it safe in my attempts to temper their expectations.

And now, flipping the early morning channels on my over the air TV, "Key of David", show is all alarmed and quoting some Armstrong guy saying 40 years ago, to watch for the rise of a militarized Germany. How Europe is/has united to go to war on Russia.

Whatever...

[BumRushDaShow]

15. "watch for the rise of a militarized Germany."

I would add the same for Japan, which is slowly starting to ramp up due to the threats from China (and their Taiwan "practice" sessions), and especially thanks to their new PM Sanae Takaichi, who is a RW nationalist.

[returnee]

58. Impeach, convict, remove is definitely on the immediate agenda...

…and has been since “took” office.
There are several counts:
1) he is literally unqualified to hold the office. Not incompetent (though he clearly is) but unqualified, as he is adjudicated insurrectionist by the Colorado courts. The SCOTUS decision to allow him on the ballot is moot. The Constitution says nothing about being on the ballot, but only about holding the office. He cannot legally hold the office. His electoral votes should have been disqualified.
2) violation of the oath of office. Since assuming office in January, he has taken any number of unconstitutional actions. Including extrajudicial killings and multiple failures to consult Congress and impinging on Congress’ Constitutional prerogatives. There are many charges the would fall into this category.
I’m sure others can add more to the list.

[Katinfl]

54. Or how about "infrastructure week"?

[Callie1979]

8. Wait till AFTER they fuck up the aftermath. Venezuelans are celebrating Madura's removal

But if they simply took Maduro & leave the country to become a BIGGER mess it'll be a worse move than the initial taking of him.
THATS when you move.
Doing it NOW will be used to show the democrats "wanted madero to stay in power!!!!". Thats the truth like it or not. And its not a good look.

[Bengus81]

23. Maybe they should stop celebrating and see WHO will take his place. Fuhrer Trump who now

RUNS Venezuela (basically HIS words) said it will not be Machado who actually won. Why...because she received a Nobel Peace prize.

[Callie1979]

36. I agree she SHOULD be. along with the guy who won with her.

But immediately going after impeachment, which WONT succeed, is a big mistake IMO. Because there is the possibility that VZ does "come to their senses" about their future & start making changes or THEY may be the next ones taken out
The people ARE celebrating because of the disaster they've seen happen to their country the past 20+ years.
Telling them to stop thanking trump & the US isnt a good idea.
Do I think trump will fuck this chance up miserably? Yes, I do. 90% sure of it.
BUT if they do what is BEST for the people & the nation & it works, then the democrats will have a mess on their face being against it.
What's the rush when an impeachment would fail anyway? Its a stunt that does nothing & becomes a gift to the MAGA fools running this year in districts that we may be able to take.

[duckworth969]

50. Same as Saddam

Yay, he’s gone!

Followed by an eight year war with thousands killed.

[Callie1979]

51. Looks like great planning for the assault but ZERO for the day after.

If this goes to shit or even just stays the same, it'll look bad for trump. It'll just be a PR stunt grabbing Maduro. There are several others down there who have US indictments why didnt they go after them too?

[Shrek]

10. The VP and a cabinet majority are not going to declare Trump unfit

Trying to invoke the 25th amendment over this issue is a fantasy.

[24601]

12. The 25th Amendment has nothing to being UNFIT for office. It addresses an incumbent being UNABLE to "discharge the

powers and duties of the office,...."

"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."

https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-xxv

[Shrek]

13. A semantic quibble, and not a meaningful one

"Unfit" is just shorthand for the text you quoted. No one who is "unable to discharge" is simultaneously fit for office.

Either way it's still a fantasy.

[Callie1979]

37. Agree. It would be a gift to the MAGA running in tough reelections.

[murielm99]

38. I agree with 24601.

The 25th amendment was considered and then passed after Eisenhower had a major heart attack while President. Unfit? Unable? It makes little difference if it puts our security at risk.

[Katinfl]

55. Still a fantasy.

[QueerDuck]

11. Involuntary Removal of Power will NEVER happen

Involuntary Removal of Power

This is the most complex section and has never been invoked. It provides a mechanism to remove power from a president who is unable to fulfill their duties but is either unwilling or unable to step aside voluntarily.

The Process: The vice president and a majority of the Cabinet (or a body designated by Congress) must notify the leaders of Congress in writing that the president is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office".

Immediate Effect: Upon this notice, the vice president immediately becomes Acting President.

The Dispute: If the president declares in writing that no inability exists, they regain power unless the vice president and Cabinet object within four days.

Congressional Vote: If there is a dispute, Congress must decide. A two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate is required to keep the vice president as Acting President. If this threshold is not met, power returns to the president.

It would only happen if he were in a permanent coma... or on life support... perhaps from an assassin's bullet that hit him in the head and cause "brain damage". Or if he had a stroke and left in a drooling and incommunicative state.

[Hugin]

21. I've always thought about the very nonspecific part in the parentheses...

“Or a body designated by Congress”.

It sure sounds like Congress could establish a Commission charged with the investigation, determination, and removal of a President based on their status of the vague “being unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” It is interesting that the pronoun “his” is in there. Yet another thing for us to fix.

What part of Congress would establish this Commission? Senate, House, or both based on a simple majority or a two-thirds vote? I would think a majority is all that would be needed to start a removal Commission. With a two-thirds requirement for a removal to continue after an appeal.

[QueerDuck]

24. Well that's hopeful. thanks for the info and context!

[Hugin]

28. I'm not even close to holding my breath about anything happening...

What you posted is verbatim from the 25th amendment as it appears in my Little Tykes US Constitution Activity Book.

It’s just dangling there.

[QueerDuck]

29. Yes. You're right about that!

It's out there, but I'm not holding my breath either.

[AKwannabe]

16. Do it again!!

Impeach!

[Anxy]

44. It will have no impact in the elections

Last time we impeached Trump won. Voters are too dumb

[mn9driver]

17. The US is now a one party dictatorship.

Trump only briefed Republicans, and Republicans will do nothing to prevent Trump from doing anything at all. This is Putin behavior. The crisis is here. Now.

[Bengus81]

19. Just like most all of us were saying months before the 2024 election. Of course the MSM

tamped it all down as just Trump being Trump.

[Hugin]

18. That was not an "extradition".

It was an armed attack and kidnapping. Closer to a smash and grab.

[mwb970]

25. I think trump did himself in for good with this one.

He has no plan and knows nothing about Venezuela. A new, expensive Iraq-like quagmire from ANOTHER republican president will not sit well with Americans. Especially MAGA!

[travelingthrulife]

32. He'll pretend he solved the crisis and MAGA...and certain Democrats, of course...

will merrily go on their way grifting and hurting others.

[Katinfl]

56. He has no plan but his sidekicks do.

He’ll go along with whatever they come up with as long as it benefits him and his oil cronies. That’s what it is all about…..$$$$$$.

[doc03]

26. How can Congress Democrat or Republican be furious when they have surrendered

their power to the president and rubber stamped every war for over a half century.

[Anxy]

42. Democrats rubber stamped the Iraq War?

Most Democrats in Congress voted against the Iraq War.

[doc03]

61. But there were enough that did. nt

[Joinfortmill]

30. A Reckoning is coming. Stay calm. Vote. Keep the focus on Epstein! It's much worse than we think.

[travelingthrulife]

31. Do it. Don't just talk about it. Trump is a Madman taking our country right to hell.

[EX500rider]

34. Unfortunately the War Powers Act does not require Congressional notification before a attack, only after

Requiring the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and limiting deployments to 60-90 days without a formal declaration or authorization.

[Clouds Passing]

35. "We demanded early next week not late next week" said sternly.

[Emile]

39. Chuck Schumer is floating Trump's impeachment?

[Anxy]

41. no. It's linkbait

Only one congressman, a Representative from California,, called for impeachment.

[Anxy]

40. Only one (US Representive from CA) foated impeachment

It's linkbait pretending that "Democrats" who are hundreds in Congress, are calling for impeachment when only one did so.

[BumRushDaShow]

47. You didn't read the whole article and then guessed incorrectly at who was explictly cited

"Trump must be impeached," said Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) in a statement, also calling for the passage of legislation to rein in executive war powers and reassert congressional control over the process.

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) called Trump's plan to run Venezuela "truly insane" and a "disaster. Referring to a Constitutional mechanism that allows the Cabinet to remove a president, he told Axios: "We are in 25th Amendment territory now."

"The President has lost his mind," Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.) told Axios in a text message.

There were already Articles of Impeachment submitted and tabled last spring by Rep. Al Green, after the bombing of Iran. He submitted a new resolution LAST MONTH, this time with 140 who approved (but obviously in the minority), and that was also tabled - House squashes second attempt to impeach Trump from Rep. Al Green

The issue is to note that "impeachment" without "removal" will not be a deterrent for someone who has already been impeached twice.

[Anxy]

67. my bad. 2 out of 258 Democrats, not 1 out 258

That changes everything.

[BumRushDaShow]

68. The 140 who voted in favor of letting the Dec. 11, 2025 impeachment resolution GO FORWARD

would beg to differ - H.Res.939 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Roll Call 322 | Bill Number: H. Res. 939

And yes, THAT "changes everything" you wrote.

[Bayard]

45. Okeydokie

Lip service. Be something besides outraged.

[LarryNM]

46. My 2 Cents

The whole Venezuela Show is for trump and "American Interests". Shores up support for his Authoritarian loving base, detracts from the Esptein Issues, detracts from serious economic problems, keeps Chinese interests in the hemisphere at bay, makes sure American Interests aka Big Business is served in Venezuela and the hemisphere, the Maduros' show trial will be used as propaganda when needed for the upcoming midterms, Veneauelan people will face Austarity under some ageis, the whole thing in the months to come will fade into the background only to be surfaced for propaganda in the midterms, pursusing the 25th Solution is a feel good that will accomplish nothing of real value, all sorts of international theatre will be playing out, keep focused instead on this administration's actions here, the economy and Espstein. I like the way the 47th is referred to as $1,776.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

48. IMO, Democrats demand their representatives to impeach Turnip at their/our own peril.

For one thing: Until the action in question that is the reason for the impeachment is so universally denounced--at this point probably murdering the entire Supreme Court on live television or something--that it has the support of both parties it is only symbolic and more likely to backfire politically than not. An actual impeachment will not happen. And it would seem that is actually the way it was designed by the Founders.

For another: It just tends to take the spotlight off of all of the other horrible things going on--like not releasing the Epstein files.

It also makes other bi-partisan efforts far more difficult as it "poisons the well." This is not something only conservatives do to progressives--it happens both ways.

And, it can backfire: In 1998 the Republicans thought impeaching Clinton would lead to midterm gains, but they actually lost five seats in the house. In 2020, Democrats made only very modest gains despite the high-profile impeachment of Turnip earlier that year (Democrats gained 3 Senate seats to get to a 50/50 Senate, but they lost 13 seats in the House and one state governorship) despite winning the presidency.

Democrats should absolutely demand that their representatives call out the lawlessness of the action and release a joint statement condemning it, but calling for them to do something futile that will only make life harder going into the midterms is not a very forward-thinking strategy IMO.

Democrats need to have an economy-first message and ask Americans: how did this help your life? How did this make your health care more affordable? How did this make your rent more affordable? How did this make your child care and groceries more affordable?

They need to focus on what is important to Americans as we head towards the next "most important election in American history."

I have never believed that Turnip plays political chess--much less 4D chess--but performing actions like these that he knows will draw little rebuke from his party in power but have the potential to send Democrats off on political goose chases and create wedges among their base could very well be part of the point.

Focus Democrats. Focus....

[ClaudetteCC]

49. The USA has had a 'bounty' for Maduro for about a year

Were we expecting other people to do the work?

[sakabatou]

57. And nothing will come of it, as repukes have their lips to Dump's ass

[cstanleytech]

64. Which Trump probably wants so he can get a pardon for supposed mental health issues from Vance.

[Justice matters.]

65. Nothing was done after the illegal (according to International Law) invasion of Iraq.

No consequences for the Bush/Cheney war crimes, even when Democrats had majorities.

So... hello precedent? Who thinks something effective will be done this time?

Even with majorities for Dems in Congress and the WH (if ever...).

[BumRushDaShow]

66. But remember that back then

Everyone (except Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)) voted for that AUMF (Authorization of Use of Military Force) in 2002 and that is what was used to invade Afghanistan, Iraq, and pretty much everywhere else since, as they were STILL, until last month, trying to repeal that damn thing (and they finally did with the repeal tacked on as a rider to the FY26 NDAA passage - and got a twofer by repealing an AUMF for the 1991 Gulf War too, as that was still in effect)!

Congress inches toward reclaiming war powers with AUMF repeals

This is why the demand for a NEW AUMF.