Removal from power

US Vice President Michael Pence has not ruled out that he may invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which allows the removal of incumbent President Donald Trump from power. This was reported by CNN, citing a source close to the vice president.

Pence's team expects not to have to invoke the head of state's incapacity under the amendment's provisions, as it could trigger additional security risks for the country along with the launch of impeachment proceedings. However, Pence has retained this option in case Trump becomes less predictable.

According to the 25th amendment, the vice-president takes over as head of state in the event of an early termination of the president's powers, incapacitating him. In addition, the amendment defines how the temporary incapacity of the US leader is to be established.

Earlier this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who initiated the first presidential impeachment attempt in 2019, called on Pence and the White House to remove Trump by invoking the 25th Amendment. Pelosi also instructed the rules committee to be ready to begin impeaching Donald Trump. A group of Democratic lawmakers plan to bring a motion to impeach the incumbent president to the lower house on 11 January, accusing him of "sedition".