In a written response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Mike Pence is ruling out invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from power, less than a week after the violent insurrection at the US Capitol.
In his letter delivered late Tuesday, Pence said the mechanism should not be used “as a means of punishment” and should remain reserved for cases of medical or mental incapacitation.
The letter is a response to a House resolution calling on Pence to secure the majority of the Cabinet and vote to declare Trump unfit to serve.
Pence encouraged Congress to avoid actions to “further divide and inflame the passions of the moment” and to focus on smoothing the transition to President-elect Joe Biden’s administration.
Pelosi has said if Pence rejects the use of the 25th Amendment, the House will move to impeach him. Already, at least three Republicans have said they would vote for that.
