Mnuchin and Pompeo discussed using 25th Amendment to oust Trump, book claims
Discussion reportedly happened after Capitol riot
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Senior Trump officials discussed trying to oust Donald Trump in the hours after the Capitol riots, according to Jonathan Karl’s new book.
Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo talked about invoking the 25th Amendment, which covers how a president is removed if they die, or are injured or incapacitated, he writes in Betrayal.
“I learned that Mnuchin had several conversations about the 25th Amendment and, further, that Mike Pompeo actually asked for a legal analysis of the 25th Amendment and how it would work,” Karl said while discussing the book on MSNBC’sMorning Joe.
The scheme was abandoned when Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chou resigned the next day, Karl said.
The two cabinet members decided it would take too long and be subject to legal challenges, and didn’t go ahead with the plan.
“But in the hours after the riot, there were high-level conversations about this,” Karl said.
“I reached out to both Mnuchin and to Pompeo over and over and over again and they would not say anything to me on the record.”
Karl says he brought it up in an interview with Mr Trump just before the book was due to go to press, and received a call within a few days from a senior aide to Mike Pompeo denying the allegation.
However, the writer said his sourcing for the information was “rock solid”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments