Following President Biden's announcement that he will not seek re-election, voters across the country are split on whether he should serve the remainder of his term. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about Biden's ability to serve as commander-in-chief.
Amid the sudden announcement that President Biden will not seek re-election in 2024, voters across the country are divided on whether he should continue to serve the remainder of his term. While some believe he should finish his time in office, others question his fitness to do so.
The concerns stem from Biden's age and recent health issues, including a bout with COVID-19 last week. His performance at the first presidential debate also sparked concerns over his fitness and mental competency.
Biden's Fitness for Office Questioned: Voters Divided on Whether He Should Finish His Term
Following Biden's announcement, several lawmakers began to question his ability to serve the remainder of his term. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., sent a letter to Vice President Harris on Monday stating that Biden is unfit to serve and demanding she invoke the 25th Amendment.
"Joe Biden has decided he isn’t capable of being a candidate; in so doing his admission also means he cannot serve as President," Schmitt wrote. "Therefore, it is in the best immediate interest of the safety of the United States for Joe Biden to resign from office or face removal under the 25th Amendment."
Biden's Fitness for Office Questioned: Voters Divided on Whether He Should Finish His Term
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., also expressed concern about Biden's ability to serve. "If Joe Biden does not have the cognitive ability to seek reelection, he does not have the cognitive ability to serve the remainder of his term," Mace wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Vice President Harris refused to comment on whether she believes Biden is capable of serving as president. Fox News Digital's attempts to reach her office for a response were unsuccessful.
Biden's Fitness for Office Questioned: Voters Divided on Whether He Should Finish His Term
Before Biden announced his exit from the race, vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, suggested Congress should consider the 25th Amendment if the president decided to suspend his re-election bid.
"If Joe Biden can't run for president, he can't serve as president. And if they want to take him down because he's mentally incapable of serving, invoke the 25th Amendment," Vance told Fox News in an interview with running mate and former President Trump.
Biden's Fitness for Office Questioned: Voters Divided on Whether He Should Finish His Term
Biden endorsed Harris for the Democrat nomination, and the vice president is reportedly seeking to solidify her name on the ballot as soon as this week.
The 25th Amendment provides a process for removing a president from office if they are deemed unable to fulfill their duties. It has been invoked four times in U.S. history, most recently in 1985 when Vice President George H.W. Bush temporarily assumed the powers of the presidency after President Ronald Reagan underwent surgery.
The 25th Amendment requires the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to determine that the president is unable to serve. If they do so, the vice president immediately becomes acting president.
It remains to be seen whether the calls to invoke the 25th Amendment will gain traction. However, the concerns raised by lawmakers and voters about Biden's fitness to serve are likely to continue as long as he remains in office.
