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MS NOW’s Lawrence O’Donnell sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego, arguing that comments appearing to accept a nuclear attack on American cities raise serious questions about presidential fitness. The network’s description of the segment quotes O’Donnell calling them “exactly why the 25th Amendment was written.” yahoo.com
According to TheWrap’s reporting, Trump made the remarks during a Republican campaign event in Nebraska on Monday, October 5. While discussing the war with Iran, he said: “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” O’Donnell addressed the comments on the October 6 edition of The Last Word. thewrap.com
O’Donnell interpreted Trump’s language as suggesting that the destruction of those cities could be acceptable. That is the host’s interpretation of the remarks; it should be distinguished from an established finding about Trump’s intentions. Nevertheless, naming American cities in that context became the focus of O’Donnell’s criticism of the president’s judgment. thewrap.com
Los Angeles and San Diego, the two cities named in Trump’s remarks.
O’Donnell also directed his criticism toward Republican lawmakers. He said congressional Republicans had remained silent about the comments, including members representing the San Diego area. In his account, their unwillingness to challenge Trump was a central obstacle to holding the president accountable. That description of Republican silence is O’Donnell’s assertion, rather than an independently verified survey of every lawmaker’s response. thewrap.com
The constitutional process requires more than public outrage. Under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet—or another body Congress establishes by law—can declare that a president cannot discharge the office’s powers and duties. The vice president then becomes acting president. If the president contests that determination and the dispute reaches Congress, sustaining the transfer requires two-thirds support in both chambers. U.S. Constitution – Law.Cornell.Edu
O’Donnell’s argument therefore raises two distinct questions: whether Trump’s remarks demonstrate an inability to exercise presidential responsibilities, and whether officials empowered to act would reach that conclusion. A television commentator’s judgment does not itself satisfy the amendment’s requirements.
For O’Donnell, the political barrier was decisive. As the network’s segment description puts it, action would require Republicans “to be honest for the first time in their lives about Donald Trump.” His warning was directed as much at those protecting the president as at the president himself. facebook.com
