Former CIA Director Calls for Invoking 25th Amendment Over President's Remarks on Iran

A former Central Intelligence Agency director stated that the president should be removed from office using the 25th Amendment, citing the president's recent remarks about destroying Iranian civilization as evidence of unfitness. The official, who served during the Barack Obama administration, made the comments during an appearance on Saturday.

The remarks were described as volatile and posing a danger to lives.

The former director said the president is a liability as commander in chief. He had immense firepower at his disposal, including the US nuclear arsenal. The 25th Amendment, added to the US Constitution in 1967, allows the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to declare the president unable to discharge duties and remove them from office.

More than 70 Democrats in Congress have called for its invocation, according to NBC News.

Remarks On 7 April, the president warned that Iran’s “whole civilisation will die tonight” if the Iranian regime failed to meet his ultimatum – a threat which the former director said hinted at the deployment of nuclear capabilities.

The comments occurred amid the president's increasing use of aggressive rhetoric toward Iran. Peace talks between the US and Iran failed on Saturday, raising concerns about potential renewed hostilities. The former director's statements contribute to a debate over the president's decision to pursue war with Iran and related threats of mass destruction.

The chances of invoking the 25th Amendment remain low, given reported loyalty from the vice president and cabinet members. Concerns about the president's language are expected to continue in light of the failed negotiations.

The former director is under investigation by the US Justice Department, initiated in July under White House pressure as part of actions against perceived enemies.

The former FBI director was charged with two counts accusing him of lying to Congress during testimony in 2020 over the Russia election interference investigation. A judge dismissed that prosecution. The investigation into the former CIA director is ongoing, according to reports.

In March, the chair of the House judiciary committee claimed the inquiry was “heating up”. These developments provide context for the former director's public criticism of the president.