Following multiple brazenly untrue social posts this week related to the ongoing war with Iran — He said it could wipe out “an entire civilization.” –Democrats are seizing an opportunity to build momentum in their bid to remove President Donald Trump from office.
As the war with Iran continues to unfold, President Trump seems increasingly frustrated and ready to do whatever it takes. to achieve his goals of eliminating the country’s nuclear capabilities, destroying its military, and ushering in regime change.. So far, none of these goals have been achieved. As his frustrations grow, so do his calls to invoke the 25th Amendment, a safeguard never before used on behalf of the nation.
President Trump: “Tonight, an entire civilization will perish and will never rise again.” Posted on Truth Social on Tuesday morning. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
The remarks came just days after Trump posted a now-deleted expletive-filled demand for countries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Easter Sunday: “Open the Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll live in hell.” same day, President Trump told The Hill: He would not rule out sending ground forces. and he told FOX News Sunday. If Iran doesn’t accept the deal, it’s “considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil.”
The president then set a new deadline for Iran to reach a deal with the United States at 8pm ET on Tuesday, marking another extension, resulting in a two-week ceasefire.
Since the president’s outburst, Democrats in Congress have condemned his comments, while Republicans have quietly supported him. Some international government organizations have harshly criticized Trump’s threats, calling them illegal, and former allies of Trump have been the most vocal in calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked.
“Any attack on clearly civilian infrastructure is unacceptable under international humanitarian law,” said Stephane Dujarric. A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said this last week..
That concern is heightened by the broader human rights situation in Iran, where violations of international legal standards are already well-documented, particularly regarding LGBTQ people.
Iran has some of the strictest laws in the world regarding LGBTQ rights. Human rights activists claim they are violating international law.
Under the country’s legal system, all sexual activity outside of traditional Islamic marriage is illegal, including same-sex relationships. Same-sex sexual activity is considered a crime and can be punishable by death in some cases. Islamic criminal law in Iran.
As international officials express concerns about the legality of Trump’s threats, the debate in Washington is increasingly shifting from blame to potential consequences: whether the 25th Amendment can be used to hold Trump accountable.
“Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, which has never been invoked, allows a majority of the Vice President and Cabinet Secretaries (or another body established by Congress) to declare that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” According to the Bipartisan Policy Center. “In that case, the vice president will immediately assume the role of acting president.”
Trump’s opponents appear to be gaining momentum, but that is unlikely. According to PolitiFact.
“Given the partisan chatter, this legal process to remove the president from office is extremely unlikely. Mr. Trump has the support of Vice President J.D. Vance, his Cabinet, and a majority of Republicans in Congress,” Lewis Jacobson and Amy Sherman wrote on the nonprofit political fact-checking website run by the Poynter Institute.
Sarah McBride, a Delaware congresswoman and the first transgender member of Congress, issued a statement in response to President Trump’s words.
“In a political career marked by grotesque statements, the President’s horrifyingly illegal and genocidal threats this morning are among the most dangerous and horrifying,” McBride said. “We cannot shout ‘fire’ in a packed theater, and we cannot allow a president to threaten genocide by the U.S. military. Threats of war crimes and disregard for human life must be held accountable under the law.”
Afterwards, she, like many others, called for the president’s removal from office to protect the American people.
“Mr. Trump has to go, and Republicans, along with Democrats, whether in the Cabinet or in Congress, must collectively use every constitutional authority to end this illegal war and take guns out of the hands of this lunatic,” said McBride, executive director of the Congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Mark Takano, the first openly gay man elected to Congress, said President Trump’s cease-fire is only temporary and will not ensure that Americans will not be forced into wars they don’t want.
“We have not heard any plans to end this war or promises to keep American troops out of Iran.” Mr. Takano said this in X.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the first openly gay person elected to the Senate, used her platform to remind President Trump and the world that diplomacy remains important.
“Diplomacy has always been the solution, which is why the president should never have dragged us into this war of choice.” Statement read by X. “It’s reckless, costing American soldiers their lives and raising prices for their families. The ceasefire is a start, but Congress must do our job to end this war.”
“The House must pass the articles of impeachment, and then the Senate must vote to convict and remove the president from office,” said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights. wrote in a statement regarding X. “Alternatively, the Cabinet and the Vice President, with the consent of Congress, must invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump.”
“Donald Trump’s instability is more evident and more dangerous than ever.” Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Several other Democratic politicians also called for the president’s removal from office, citing violations of international law and the Constitution. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) called “This madman without freedom” will be “banished from public office.” U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), said“Threatening war crimes is a clear violation of our Constitution and the Geneva Conventions.” U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) Midas Touch journalist Scott McFarlane said. “In the last 48 hours alone, the rhetoric has crossed every line.”
In addition to Democrats, some ardent Trump supporters have also been vocal critics of the president’s handling of the Iran war.
Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist and former Trump confidant who lost a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit for spreading far-right lies, asked, “How do we amend the 25th Amendment?” on Monday’s InfoWars show..
Georgia Republican, former congresswoman, and former prominent MAGA ally Marjorie Taylor Greene Refers to Trump’s post about destroying civilization. I posted “Evil and Madness” and a simple “25th Amendment!!!”
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
