Azar reiterated on the subject of the 25th Amendment: “It would not be appropriate to discuss my discussions with colleagues or with the President and Vice President – and I have never had one.”
Azar’s refusal to support Trump by permanently stopping speculation on the Cabinet’s 25th deliberations is a significant departure for the secretary – who has repeatedly sought to oust the president’s favor in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. White House was.
But Azar’s remarks Tuesday highlight the serious threat Trump’s presidency now faces in the wake of last week’s violence at the Capitol, which led to the deaths of at least five people, including a U.S. Capitol police officer.
Numerous Democratic lawmakers, several former federal officials, some governors and at least one member of the Republican House have all demanded that Trump be removed from office immediately. A number of administrative officials have resigned in recent days, including three members of the cabinet: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Transport Secretary Elaine Chao and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf.
The House Democrats have warned that Vice President Mike Pence is not initiating proceedings to remove him, the chamber is ready to accuse Trump on Wednesday of inciting the uprising at the Capitol. He would be the only president in American history to have been charged twice.