25th Amendment, censorship ... "It would create immense chaos if Trump were dismissed"

Unimaginable scenes in Washington: supporters of Donald Trump invaded the Capitol on Wednesday, interrupting the session that was to confirm the victory of Joe Biden.

The toll of violence is terrible: four dead.

America is in shock.

Jean-Eric Branaa, lecturer in political science at Paris II-Assas, deciphers the direct political consequences of this shocking event.

READ ALSO>

The day the American democracy shook: story of an evening of chaos in Washington

What are the political consequences of this attack?

We all wake up a little groggy, and it's hard to see the long term consequences.

But this attack on Congress is an infamy.

It is truly the temple of democracy in the United States.

All Americans respect the place and their constitution, the first words of which they know by heart.

The first reaction of elected representatives of Congress is of course to strongly condemn this attack but also to resume the certification process of the electoral college's vote.

Who are the culprits?

It is the full responsibility of Donald Trump, who by calling for this gathering of his supporters and calling for a march on the Capitol caused this unprecedented chaos.

Moreover, some policies already call for the use of the 25th Amendment.

What is the 25th Amendment?

It is a provision of the American constitution which allows the president to be replaced by the vice-president.

Usually it is used in the event of the president's death or if he falls seriously ill, which he is no longer able to exercise.

But the provision can also apply if the president goes mad.

What some believe after this "coup", as they say across the Atlantic.

In this case, the vice-president can write to Congress to deprive the POTUS

(President of the United States of America)

of its power and hand it over.

This would require Donald Trump to consult psychiatrists ... In addition, the tenant of the White House can object by writing a simple letter and recover his power.

It is obviously very complex especially in 14 days of mandate remaining, it seems impossible to go to the end of such a procedure.

READ ALSO>

Violence on Capitol Hill: Trump's mental health in question

Are there other solutions?

Also via the 25th Amendment, Congress can seize power itself and give it to the vice president through a 2/3 majority vote in each chamber.

You could say that it is possible given the last veto of Congress on Donald Trump's latest budget.

But Trump's 74 million voters would be even more furious.

It would create immense chaos if Trump were removed.

Wisdom dictates that this should not happen.

The last and most likely possibility is that of “censorship”

(different from the impeachment procedure)

, which is a public condemnation by Congress of a personality for acts deemed incompatible with his office.

President Andrew Jackson was thus “condemned” in 1834. The Congress thus restored its image and restored its authority.

(Editor's note: Donald Trump has already been the subject of two attempts at "censorship" during his mandate without these being voted on)