Is Biden Fit for Duty? Why a Commander in Chief’s Mental Fitness Matters for National Defense

Imagine yourself standing on the deck of a nuclear aircraft carrier. It’s dead of night, pitch-black, and the vast expanse of the ocean seems endless. You’re the helmsman, and the lives of thousands of sailors and the fate of your nation rest on your shoulders. Now, imagine if you were unfit mentally to perform your duty. Terrifying thought, right?

This analogy, dear friends, is a metaphor for the office of the President of the United States – our Commander in Chief. To put it in SEAL-speak, it’s a Big Deal. Mental acuity, cognitive health, and psychological robustness aren’t just attributes; they’re prerequisites for the job. Why? Because the person making the final call on national defense decisions has to be sharp as a Ka-Bar knife, and stable as a rock.

The position of President, like that of a Navy SEAL or a Special Operations commander, is subjected to extreme pressures and decisions of life and death. Under such strain, mental health cannot be compromised. A lapse in judgment, a miscalculation, or an erratic decision can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

This is what concerns me about Biden. It’s not about party politics; it’s just simple math.

Both parties have a choke hold on American politics, and at some point, I wondered, “Maybe a Biden controlled by his handlers is easier for both parties to deal with.”

Either way, I’m shocked this hasn’t become more of an issue, but perhaps leading up to the election next year, it will become clearer.

Then what if?

What if a President is deemed unfit for office due to mental health issues?

Our Constitution has a provision: The 25th Amendment. It allows the Vice President, along with a majority of Cabinet members, to declare the President unfit. But, it’s an extreme measure, reserved for dire circumstances.

The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides the procedure for replacing the President or Vice President in case of death, removal, resignation, or incapacitation. If the 25th Amendment were to be invoked with President Biden, it would look like this:

1. The process begins when the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet determine that the President is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” They would transmit a written declaration to that effect to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate (currently Senator Patrick Leahy) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (currently Representative Nancy Pelosi).
2. Upon receiving the declaration, the Vice President immediately assumes the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
3. However, if President Biden disputes this determination and transmits his own declaration stating he is capable of performing his duties, he could retake his powers and duties.
4. If the Vice President and the Cabinet persist and send another declaration within four days, the issue would go to Congress. The House and Senate would have to assemble within 48 hours if not in session.
5. A two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate would be required to declare the President unfit and have the Vice President continue as Acting President. Congress has 21 days to reach a decision.
6. If the two-thirds majority is not met in both houses of Congress, the President would retake his powers and duties.

As for the time frame, the process could take just a few days if uncontested by the President. However, if contested and sent to Congress, the 25th Amendment allows for a maximum of 21 days for the process to reach a conclusion. This time frame, though, would likely be seen as a national emergency, given the significance and potential instability associated with such a move.

It’s important to note that this process has never been tested in the case of a President contesting his removal due to incapacity, and the interpretation of these provisions may be subject to legal and political debate.

Kamala has been weak and barely readable the entire time Biden’s been in office, so it’s unlikely she’ll push on the 25th amendment, but if Biden’s mental capacity continues to decline it could be an unavoidable outcome.

The mental fitness of our leaders matters. We don’t just need a Commander in Chief with a steady hand, but one with a sound mind, that can complete a sentence and chew hard food. This isn’t politics; it’s common sense.

So, fellow patriots, let’s continue to hold our leaders to the same standards we would any soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine. Because when it comes to national defense, there’s no room for compromise.