What Rep. Maxine Waters Actually Said
Rep. Maxine Waters, a long-standing Democratic congresswoman from California, has repeatedly expressed urgent concern about then-President Donald Trump’s fitness to serve—especially leading up to and in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol insurrection. She called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment, arguing that Trump was dangerously unfit for office.
Key Statements
In January 2021, during an interview on SiriusXM, Waters said that Trump “has got to be stopped dead in his tracks… however we can do it: whether it is Amendment 25, or whether it is a new way by bringing him up before the Congress.” She highlighted her belief that Trump’s behavior posed a real threat to democracy. The Washington TimesWashington Examiner
She also publicly argued in October 2020 that invoking Section 4 of the 25th Amendment was necessary due to Trump’s “erratic and bizarre behavior” and what she described as his personal contribution to spreading COVID‑19. BizPac Review
Context of the 25th Amendment
Section 4 of the 25th Amendment allows the Vice President and a majority of Cabinet members to declare a president unfit to serve. If invoked, the Vice President immediately becomes Acting President. The president may challenge this, and if so, Congress must decide the matter within 21 days, requiring a two-thirds supermajority in both houses to keep the vice president in power. bpr.orgWikipedia
Historically, this section has never been invoked, and is intended for situations where the president’s incapacity is due to health or disability—not political questioning or disagreement. Constitutional scholars warn that using it otherwise risks triggering a constitutional crisis. bpr.orgReddit
At a Glance: Waters & the 25th Amendment
Aspect Details
What Waters Said Trump must be stopped—possibly via the 25th Amendment or impeachment
When Statements made in October 2020 and January 2021
Reasoning Alleged erratic behavior, incitement of insurrection, threats to democracy
Legal Mechanism Section 4 allows Cabinet/VP to declare unfitness; Congress decides if contested
Historic Use Section 4 has never been invoked in U.S. history
Critics’ Viewpoint Using it for political purposes risks destabilizing constitutional norms
Final Thoughts
Maxine Waters’s calls for invoking the 25th Amendment reflect deep concerns about Trump’s conduct and its impact on democratic institutions. However, experts caution that the Amendment was designed for physical or mental incapacity—not to serve as a political remedy. Waters’s remarks are significant in their political symbolism, even if they lacked feasibility.