The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has called for the activation of the 25th amendment of the Constitution of the United States to remove President Donald Trump from office, after labeling him as "mentally ill" for statements made at a campaign rally where he suggested that Iran attack the cities of Los Angeles or San Diego.
In a note sent to several U.S. media outlets, Newsom maintains that the current occupant of the White House is a "mentally ill" person and emphasizes that it is "time for the 25th amendment," referring to the constitutional mechanism that regulates the replacement of the president when it is considered that he is not fit to perform his duties.
With this move, the Democratic leader intensifies his political clash with Trump, after previously labeling those statements as "madness," criticizing the "dangerous and disturbed" gesture of explicitly pointing out specific cities as a potential target of an Iranian military offensive.
Newsom stressed that in Southern California, more than 130,000 active military personnel live, which, in his opinion, makes the president's insinuation even more serious. The governor, who will not be able to run for re-election on November 3, is considered one of the most prominent figures in the Democratic Party and a possible candidate for the presidential nomination in 2028.
During a campaign event in Nebraska, when addressing the conflict with Iran and its impact on fuel prices, Trump stated that "they could take out a city" and then mentioned Los Angeles or San Diego as potential targets of Iranian attacks. "It's a very small price to pay, and it's going to end very soon (the war with Iran)," he added.
After these words, the Democratic delegation from California in Congress issued a joint statement calling on the president to apologize, reminding him that upon taking office he swears to "defend the Constitution and protect against enemies" the United States.