Trump cabinet members holding preliminary talks on ousting president

Members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet discuss the possibility of removing Trump from office after his supporters stormed the Capitol, three US news channels report.

The discussions focused on the 25th amendment to the US Constitution, which allows for a president’s removal by the vice president and cabinet if he is judged “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”

Invoking it would require Vice President Michael Pence to lead the cabinet in a vote on removing him.

CNN quotes unnamed Republican leaders saying the 25th amendment had been discussed, saying they had described Trump as “out of control.”

US President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, January 6, 2021. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

CBS reporter Margaret Brennan says that “nothing formal” had been presented to Pence, and ABC reporter Katherine Faulders says “multiple” sources had told her that discussions took place on the unprecedented move.

Trump’s encouragement of the protesters, his unfounded claims that he lost the November 3 presidential election due to massive fraud, and other bizarre behavior have raised questions about his ability to lead.