Scott McConnell, co-founder of The American Conservative, has sparked debate after publicly suggesting that the 25th Amendment should be considered as a way to remove President Donald Trump from office.
The remarks come amid heightened criticism of Trump’s leadership following escalating tensions in the Middle East. Since returning to the White House, his presidency has been marked by a series of contentious decisions, particularly surrounding U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran. Coordinated airstrikes carried out alongside Israel have drawn strong reactions both domestically and internationally, as the situation continues to worsen. Reports indicate that more than 3,000 people have been killed, including over 1,000 civilians.
Against this backdrop, McConnell took to social media platform X to outline what he described as a potential course of action. In one post, he directly addressed Vice President JD Vance, urging him to consider invoking the 25th Amendment—a constitutional provision that allows for the removal of a sitting president under specific conditions.
“My advice to Vance: Announce your support of 25th amendment transition,”
he wrote, before expanding on how such a move could unfold.
McConnell suggested that Vance could publicly explain the reasoning behind the decision, while also committing not to run for president in 2028. He further proposed that a figure such as Democratic Senator Chris Murphy could serve as vice president during a transition period, describing him as anti-war and pragmatic.
“Use your position, access to the media to explain why this is necessary. Don’t resign,”
he added, outlining a strategy that would rely heavily on public communication and political cooperation.
Although McConnell did not explicitly link his proposal in that post to the recent military actions against Iran, his broader commentary has made his stance clear. He has been openly critical of U.S. involvement in the region and skeptical of the intelligence behind recent decisions.
In a separate post, he sharply criticized the administration’s handling of the situation, writing:
“So Netanyahu fed Trump BS intelligence. Trump, ignoring his own intelligence agencies, lapped it up. Now because things didn’t work out like the BS intelligence claimed, wants to commit genocide in our name. OK.”
He also floated the possibility of other political figures playing a role in resolving the crisis, suggesting that Senator Marco Rubio could help negotiate a ceasefire while maintaining his position and potentially strengthening his standing within the Republican Party.
Meanwhile, President Trump has stated that “strong” discussions are ongoing with Iran regarding a possible ceasefire. However, Iranian officials have disputed those claims, adding further uncertainty to an already volatile situation.
McConnell’s comments have added another layer to an already complex political landscape, highlighting divisions not only between parties but also within conservative circles. While the 25th Amendment remains a rarely used and highly controversial mechanism, its mention in this context reflects the intensity of the current debate over leadership, foreign policy, and the direction of the administration.
