Republican Lawmakers Call for Biden to Resign or Be Removed

After President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race on Sunday, congressional Republicans called for him to resign the presidency or be removed by his cabinet under the 25th Amendment, citing concerns over his “health” and “cognitive ability.” Democrats pushed back.

For Context: The U.S. Constitution’s 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, states that if the vice president and a majority of the president’s cabinet officers declare the president “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,” the vice president becomes the acting president.

Right Outlets Press the Case: Fox News (Right bias) and National Review (Lean Right) centered articles around a letter from Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) requesting that Vice President Kamala Harris invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Biden. Neither article included any quotes in defense of Biden finishing his term.

Left & Center Media Defend Biden: A headline from Axios (Lean Left) described Republicans as “piling on” Biden and predicted “any effort to force Biden from office would be an uphill fight.” Politico (Lean Left) centered its article on Democratic pushback to the criticisms, quoting Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) that the effort was “shameful baloney.” Reuters (Center) wrote that Republicans “have spent months vilifying Biden.”

What Amendment?: While headlines from the right said specifically that lawmakers called for a 25th Amendment removal, headlines from the left referred only to calls for Biden to “resign.” Washington Post (Lean Left) first mentioned the 25th Amendment in its 33rd paragraph.