GOP lawmaker says he ‘wouldn’t oppose’ removing Trump under 25th Amendment

Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) indicated Thursday that he would not stand in the way if the Cabinet and Vice President Pence decided to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove President Trump from office.

“I don’t know anything about the President’s mental state, or any of that. The cabinet decides on the 25th Amendment that is. If the Cabinet decided to do that, I would not oppose it,” Stivers said during an interview with Spectrum News.

Republican @RepSteveStivers to @SpectrumNews1OH on the 25th Amendment:

“If the cabinet decided to do that, I would not oppose it.” pic.twitter.com/I5Buq7VMSf

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) January 7, 2021

Video of the interview was shared on Twitter by Forbes reporter Andrew Solender.

Multiple Democratic lawmakers have called for Trump to be removed from power, either through impeachment or through the 25th Amendment. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) is the only GOP lawmaker to call for using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump. 

Stivers described impeachment as “a little silly” because he said it could not be done before Trump’s term ends on Jan. 20.

“That is a little silly at this point — to try to talk about thinking we could do impeachment. But I think if the Cabinet decided to support the 25th Amendment, they know what’s going on much better than I do, day to day, and where things stand,” added Stivers.

“I was very disappointed in the president, but we will have a new president in 13 days. Don’t confuse yourself on that. And frankly, if the president did something wrong, when he’s not president anymore he could be held accountable for that,” he said.

Trump’s video message to the rioters asking them to stop their siege has been condemned by critics and lawmakers for appearing to support them. In the video, he said to the rioters, “We love you. You’re very special,” while adding “go home in peace.”

Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday the U.S. would be “better off” if Trump was removed from office, adding his name to the growing list of lawmakers who believe Trump should be removed.