More than 70 congressional Democrats called for President Trump’s removal from office on Tuesday after he posted on Truth Social that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”
Why it matters: The post, referring to Iran, marked the most explicit threat of mass civilian harm by a sitting US president in modern history. It triggered the broadest removal push since the January 6 Capitol breach in 2021.
The threat
Trump posted the statement on Tuesday morning, hours before a self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The post was widely interpreted as a threat to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure and population centres.
Legal scholars at several universities said the statement, if acted upon, could constitute a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
The political response
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the push, stating that “Donald Trump’s instability is more clear and dangerous than ever.” She urged the Cabinet to invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, which allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unable to discharge his duties.
Democrats in both chambers signed letters demanding Republican leaders recall Congress from recess to authorise or end the Iran war.
Republican reaction
Republican leaders did not join the calls. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the president was “negotiating from strength.” Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson was a notable exception, advising officials to tell the president “no” if asked to carry out mass attacks on civilians.
What happens next
A two-week ceasefire announced late Tuesday made immediate action unlikely. The 25th Amendment has never been invoked under Section 4 and would require Vice President JD Vance and a majority of the Cabinet to act. Impeachment would need two-thirds of the Senate, controlled by Republicans. Neither path has realistic prospects in the current Congress, but Democrats say the episode strengthens their case heading into the 2026 midterm elections.