Former CIA director John Brennan joined the request made by now dozens of Democrats for the removal of Donald Trump in view of his so far unsuccessful policy towards Iran. Brennan said Trump poses “too great a risk” to continue as president given that he has immense firepower at his disposal, including the US nuclear arsenal.
John Brennan: ‘The 25th Amendment was written with Trump in mind’
“This person is clearly deranged,” he told the broadcaster Ms Nowreferring in particular to the president’s recent statements on the destruction of Iranian civilization. “The entire Iranian civilization will die tonight,” Trump warned on April 7, threatening massive retaliation if Tehran did not respect his ultimatum on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A threat which, according to the former director of the intelligence agency, alluded to the use of nuclear weapons.
Brennan, director of the CIA under Barack Obama’s administration, calls for the application of the 25th amendment of the American Constitution, which was “written with personalities like Trump in mind”. The amendment, inserted in 1967, allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to declare the president “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” Therefore, unlike impeachment, the rules of the 25th Amendment allow the president to be removed without the need to bring specific charges.
Last July, together with former FBI director James Comey, Brennan ended up at the center of an investigation by the Department of Justice for their role in Russiagate and their accusations against Trump. The president had celebrated the indictment with one of his usual posts on Truth. Many believe that Trump is using the Department as a tool to target his critics, undermining their independence and credibility through orders to investigate those he deems enemies.
Also for this reason, Brennan’s statements have attracted particular outcry. The chances that a vote will be called to apply the 25th Amendment and remove Trump are very slim, given the unwavering loyalty that the Vice President, JD Vance and the entire cabinet seem to continue to show him. However, after the failure of talks with Iran and the latest move on the Hormuz naval blockade they continue to raise growing concerns even among Republicans.