New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently made headlines after an interview with Pablo Manriquez on Capitol Hill. When asked about President Donald Trump‘s work ethic during ongoing military tensions with Iran, she did not hold back on the risks she sees in his leadership.
She noted that while it is concerning to see a president golfing during a crisis, there may be a silver lining in keeping him away from power. She said, “Obviously, it’s awful that this guy is playing golf, but, in a way, we’re already seeing that some of the most important military decision-makers in the country are trying to keep him out of consequential decisions.”
According to The Independent, she continued, “So in some ways, you kind of want this guy on a golf course more than you want him in the Oval Office.” Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that if high-level officials feel the need to bypass the commander in chief to avoid erratic decision-making, it raises serious questions about his fitness for the job.
The 25th Amendment debate is gaining real traction, even among former Trump allies
She argued, “But that also calls into question the 25th Amendment, because if he is being… if the determination is that Donald Trump cannot be trusted in the Situation Room in unfolding scenarios then he’s not fit to be president.”
The congresswoman was referencing a Wall Street Journal report published on April 18, 2026, which alleged that Trump was excluded from a military briefing over his behavior concerning a rescue mission for two U.S. airmen downed in Iran.
According to the report, the decision to keep him out was driven by concerns over his volatile temperament. The piece described Trump engaged in an hours-long tantrum, during which he allegedly ranted about the potential for a failed rescue to mark the end of his presidency, while drawing comparisons to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.
In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the president, stating that he “remained a steady leader our country needs.” She also pointed to his campaign promises regarding Iranian nuclear capabilities, asserting that the mission was a noble operation.
According to The Telegraph, the 25th Amendment conversation has recently drawn in former Trump allies as well. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly turned against him after he threatened to bomb Iran, telling reporters, “How can any person that is mentally stable call for an entire civilisation of people to be murdered? That’s not tough rhetoric. It’s insanity.”
Even former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly expressed frustration on her radio show, saying, “I’m sick of this s—. Can’t he just behave like a normal human?” Despite the growing calls, political experts remain skeptical that the 25th Amendment will actually be invoked.
The process requires the support of Vice President JD Vance and a majority of the cabinet, and given that many of these individuals remain loyal to Trump, such a move is widely seen as unlikely.
Tucker Carlson is among those who have recently expressed regret over helping Trump win the election, reflecting a broader shift in sentiment among some former supporters. Jen Psaki, speaking to Stephen A. Smith, noted that while she understands why people are calling for it, the reality is that it probably won’t happen.
The constitutional hurdles are significant. If the cabinet and vice president were to initiate removal, Trump could challenge it, forcing a battle in Congress that would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate to finalize.
Cass Sunstein, a Harvard law professor who worked on similar procedures during the Reagan administration, described this as the “hard way” to remove a president, emphasizing that the focus is usually on national stability and avoiding disruption to elections. Even so, 50 House Democrats recently introduced a bill aimed at creating a congressionally-appointed commission to assess presidential fitness.
Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin argued the move is a matter of national security, citing Trump’s threats toward Iran, his insults directed at the Pope, and his online sharing of an artistic image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. Whether this all reflects a calculated strategy or something more concerning remains the central debate in Washington today.
Published: Apr 21, 2026 03:25 pm