More than 70 congressional Democrats, including several senators, called Tuesday for President Donald Trump to be removed from office after he issued extreme rhetoric toward Iran that included a warning the U.S. could “wipe out a whole civilization.” Lawmakers urged the Cabinet to use the 25th Amendment to declare him unfit, for Congress to impeach and convict him, or both.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said both chambers should reconvene to pass articles of impeachment and vote to convict, or the Cabinet and vice president should invoke the 25th Amendment with congressional concurrence. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) likewise said the 25th should be on the table, arguing that no sober president would promise to eradicate an entire civilization. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) called on the Cabinet to act, describing the threats as violations of the Constitution and the Geneva Conventions and urging all available removal options.
The lawmakers’ responses followed a Truth Social post from Trump that set an 8 p.m. ET deadline and warned of mass destruction if Iran did not reach a deal with the United States. The remarks drew condemnation from many Democrats and criticism from some Republicans, with observers warning such promises could amount to war crimes. The United Nations reiterated the protections of the Geneva Conventions; Secretary-General António Guterres said no military objective justifies destroying a society’s infrastructure or intentionally inflicting civilian suffering.
Less than 90 minutes before the deadline, Trump said he was suspending planned U.S. strikes on Iran for two weeks and announced what he described as a “double sided” ceasefire. Even after that announcement, several Democrats maintained he should be removed from office, with Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) calling the earlier threat an impeachable offense and urging prompt congressional action.
Trump was impeached twice during his first term and acquitted by a Republican-controlled Senate both times. He has suggested a third impeachment could occur if Republicans lose the 2026 midterms and Democrats regain the House. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.