Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) is speaking out after calling President Donald Trump "a deranged lunatic and a national security threat" in a pointed social media post, invoking the 25th Amendment in response to his latest expletive-filled ultimatums directed at Iran.
"The 25th Amendment exists for a reason," Rep. Ansari wrote on X. "The President of the United States is a deranged lunatic, and a national security threat to our country and the rest of the world."
The 25th Amendment outlines procedures for presidential succession and the handling of presidential incapacity.
Ansari's invocation signals that some lawmakers believe the current moment warrants a serious constitutional conversation, whether or not one agrees with her assessment.
Post Going Viral
The remarks came in direct response to a string of posts by President Trump on Truth Social, in which the president threatened to strike Iranian power plants and bridges, warning the country to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
His language was unfiltered, including phrases unprecedented in formal diplomatic communication from any prior administration. However, this marks at least the third deadline Trump has issued to Tehran. He first warned of military consequences on March 21st, then extended that window twice before arriving at the current Tuesday cutoff.
The Floridian reported that escalating rhetoric follows a high-stakes U.S. rescue mission after an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over central Iran by Revolutionary Guard air defenses. Both crew members were ultimately recovered, though the second rescue required CIA-assisted deception operations and ended with two U.S. transport planes being destroyed on the ground.
Two Black Hawk helicopters were struck by Iranian forces but managed to reach safe airspace.
Continued Effort
This comes amid efforts by mediators, including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, to propose a 45-day ceasefire in the Iran war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but the plan has not been approved by Trump, and Iran has signaled it may reject any temporary truce.
The proposal is a last-ditch effort to prevent a major escalation as Trump prepares to address the conflict today and has threatened strikes if the strait stays blocked.
As tensions with Iran continue to mount and Tuesday’s deadline approaches, the country now waits and watches.
