Republicans Attack Newsom’s 25th Amendment Call Against Trump, Point to Biden Defense

California’s governor made waves Thursday night by calling for invocation of the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump, claiming Trump displayed signs of mental deterioration during a speech on election integrity concerns.

Gavin Newsom characterized Trump’s remarks as rambling and incoherent, suggesting the moment warranted constitutional action to remove him from office. His statement triggered immediate backlash from Republicans who highlighted what they view as Democratic hypocrisy.

The Republican National Committee’s official account responded sharply, accusing Democrats of ignoring far more serious cognitive concerns about former President Joe Biden throughout his four-year tenure. “You literally propped up a vegetable and lied to the American people about his cognitive decline for four years and never mentioned the 25th amendment once,” the GOP account stated.

Newsom has consistently defended Biden as one of the nation’s greatest presidents, even after Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race. Fox News contributor Joe Concha suggested Newsom should remain silent on the matter given his previous defense of Biden.

The governor characterized Trump’s Thursday evening address as politically motivated, suggesting it was designed to improve electoral prospects in 2026. Trump disclosed what he described as newly declassified information about election vulnerabilities and alleged foreign interference attempts.

Several Democratic figures rallied behind Newsom’s position. Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona echoed the call for the 25th Amendment, describing Trump as mentally unfit and a national security threat.

Conservative critics raised broader concerns about the constitutional implications of such action. California Assemblyman Joe Patterson questioned whether removing a duly elected president through Cabinet action would itself pose dangers to democratic governance.