In a move signaling deepening fractures within the conservative movement, Scott McConnell, the founding editor of The American Conservative, has publicly called on Vice President JD Vance to initiate a transition of power using the 25th Amendment.
The high-stakes proposal, issued Sunday via social media, suggests Vance assume the presidency and appoint a Democrat to the vice presidency to stabilize a nation currently embroiled in a Middle Eastern conflict.
A Radical Proposal for Transition
McConnell’s plan is specific and bipartisan. He urged Vance to name Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) as his successor, describing Murphy as an “antiwar Democrat” who is “smart and not super woke.” To mitigate concerns of a power grab, McConnell advised Vance to explicitly pledge that he will not run for president in 2028.
“Use your position, access to the media to explain why this is necessary,” McConnell wrote, emphasizing that Vance should remain in office rather than resign in protest.
Mounting Concerns Over Fitness and Strategy
The call for removal follows a period of heightened geopolitical volatility. Since President Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025—becoming the oldest person to ever hold the office—questions regarding his mental fitness and executive judgment have moved from the fringes to the center of political discourse.
The administration’s decision to launch joint strikes with Israel against Iran in February serves as the primary catalyst. While the strikes enjoy support from 81% of MAGA voters, a recent POLITICO/Public First poll reveals that only 43% of the general American electorate supports the military action.
Furthermore, the poll highlighted a grim resolve among the President’s base: 58% of MAGA Republicans believe the U.S. must achieve its goals in Iran even at the cost of American lives.
The 25th Amendment Framework
Ratified in 1967, the 25th Amendment provides the legal mechanism for the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”
While historically viewed as a tool for physical incapacitation, Section 4 has increasingly been cited by critics as a remedy for perceived mental or behavioral unfitness. Vance has previously avoided direct criticism of the President’s war strategy, recently telling reporters he would not disclose private Situation Room conversations to avoid legal repercussions and to protect executive privilege.
A Pattern of Calls for Removal
McConnell’s demand joins a chorus of dissent from across the aisle. Throughout 2025 and early 2026, prominent Democrats have invoked the amendment in response to various administration policies:
- Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) cited the removal of Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve as a threat to economic stability.
- Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) questioned Trump’s mental health following the deployment of troops to U.S. cities for immigration enforcement.
- Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) labeled the president “mentally ill” after renewed suggestions of annexing Greenland.
Neither the White House nor the Vice President’s office has issued a formal response to McConnell’s comments.
