The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides a mechanism for the removal of a President if they are unable to discharge their duties due to a physical or mental impairment. Section 4 of the 25th Amendment specifically addresses the scenario where the President is unable or unwilling to declare themselves unfit for office.
According to the 25th Amendment, the removal process involves the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet (or another body as designated by Congress) declaring in writing that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office. This would temporarily transfer power to the Vice President until the President is deemed fit to resume their duties or until the end of the term if it is determined that the President is permanently incapacitated.
The criteria for determining when a President's mental condition reaches the threshold for removal under the 25th Amendment are not specified in detail in the Constitution. Instead, it is left to the Vice President and the Cabinet (or the designated body) to make that assessment based on their judgment and considerations of the President's behavior, statements, and ability to fulfill their responsibilities.
The decision to remove a President under the 25th Amendment is an extraordinary and politically sensitive matter. It requires careful consideration of the President's mental health, capacity to govern, and the potential impacts on the country. Therefore, any discussion about invoking the 25th Amendment should be undertaken seriously and with a thorough evaluation by qualified medical professionals, as well as a broad consensus among the Cabinet and Vice President.
It's important to note that the 25th Amendment has only been invoked a few times in history, primarily for temporary situations like medical procedures during which the President voluntarily transferred power to the Vice President. Its application in cases involving mental health would be highly complex and contentious due to the sensitive nature of the issue and the potential for political ramifications.