Pence Refuses to Invoke 25th Amendment: "Not in Accordance with National Interest or Constitution"

Letter to US House Speaker... Rejection of Request to Remove President from Office
"Congress, Do Not Create Division" Criticism

Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States
[Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] U.S. Vice President Mike Pence expressed opposition to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's call to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office, AP News reported on the 12th (local time).

According to the report, Vice President Pence stated in a letter sent to Speaker Pelosi that "With only eight days left in the President's term, you (Speaker Pelosi) and the Democratic leadership are demanding that the Cabinet and I invoke the 25th Amendment," adding, "I do not believe this is in the best interest of the country or consistent with the Constitution."

Vice President Pence pointed out that the 25th Amendment was created to address issues such as presidential incapacity or inability to perform duties, and accused the House leadership of playing political games. He further emphasized, "Congress should not take actions that deepen divisions," and urged, "Refrain from impeaching the President and focus on the peaceful transfer of power."

The 25th Amendment allows the Vice President to assume presidential duties if the President is deemed unable to perform them. It is invoked if a majority of the Vice President and Cabinet agree. If the President refuses to step aside, Congress can enforce it with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate.

Following the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump on January 6th, calls led by the Democratic Party to invoke the 25th Amendment have intensified amid growing responsibility claims against President Trump. Until now, Vice President Pence had not publicly stated his position on the matter.

With the likelihood of invoking the 25th Amendment considered low, the Democratic Party filed a second impeachment resolution on the previous day, accusing President Trump of inciting insurrection. The Democrats plan to bring the impeachment resolution to a vote on the 13th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.