Tucker Carlson has dramatically escalated his criticism of President Donald Trump, arguing that members of Trump’s own administration should have moved to remove the president from power under the 25th Amendment.
Although Carlson stopped short of calling specifically for congressional impeachment during the exchange, he said Trump’s vice president and Cabinet should have acted after the president made severe threats against Iran.
Carlson made the remarks during an interview with NPR host Steve Inskeep published Thursday, September 24, as the former Fox News host discussed Trump, the conflict with Iran and the direction of American foreign policy.
The comments represent one of Carlson’s strongest public breaks yet with a president he once prominently supported.
Carlson Says Trump Should Have Been Removed
During the interview, Inskeep asked Carlson whether Trump should face impeachment over the war involving Iran.
Carlson responded by arguing that Trump should have been removed after making what Carlson interpreted as a threat to use nuclear weapons.
“He should have been removed from office immediately when he threatened nuclear war,” Carlson said.
Carlson argued that threatening an offensive nuclear strike crossed a line serious enough to justify intervention from Trump’s own administration.
His comments came after Trump delivered a forceful warning to Iran during an address to the United Nations.
Trump presented Iran with a stark choice between reaching an agreement that could allow the country to rebuild or facing overwhelming military consequences if the conflict continued.
The president used the word “annihilate” while describing what could happen to the Islamic Republic if diplomacy failed.
Carlson strongly objected to that rhetoric.
“It’s enough for me to say he should be removed from office,” Carlson said, adding that Cabinet officials should have acted when Trump made the threat.
Carlson Confirms He Means The 25th Amendment
Inskeep then asked Carlson directly whether he was talking about invoking the 25th Amendment.
“That’s correct,” Carlson replied.
That distinction matters because the 25th Amendment and impeachment are two separate constitutional processes.
Section 4 of the 25th Amendment allows the vice president and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments to declare that a president is unable to carry out the powers and duties of the office.
If such a declaration is formally transmitted to congressional leaders, the vice president assumes the powers and duties of the presidency as acting president.
The process can become more complicated if the president disputes the declaration, potentially requiring Congress to determine whether the president remains unable to perform the duties of the office.
Impeachment works differently.
The House of Representatives has the power to impeach a president, while removal from office requires conviction in the Senate.
Carlson’s remarks therefore focused primarily on action by Trump’s vice president and Cabinet rather than an impeachment proceeding initiated by Congress.
Trump’s Iran Comments Spark Controversy
The dispute centers on increasingly aggressive rhetoric surrounding Iran.
During his United Nations remarks, Trump raised the possibility of reaching an agreement with Tehran while simultaneously warning of devastating consequences if Iran continued fighting.
Carlson interpreted the president’s language as a threat involving the first use of nuclear weapons and argued that such rhetoric should trigger constitutional action.
Carlson went even further during the NPR interview, describing the threat of nuclear warfare as an extraordinary offense.
Trump’s statements, however, did not by themselves initiate the 25th Amendment process, and Carlson’s comments represented his personal argument for how administration officials should respond.
A Growing Divide Between Carlson And Trump
Carlson’s criticism highlights a widening disagreement between two figures who were once closely aligned politically.
The former Fox News host has increasingly challenged Trump over foreign policy, particularly American military involvement overseas.
Carlson has long argued for a more restrained U.S. foreign policy and has criticized actions he believes could pull the country deeper into overseas conflicts.
Those disagreements have become increasingly visible during the conflict with Iran.
His latest comments take the dispute to another level.
Rather than merely criticizing Trump’s strategy, Carlson is now openly saying administration officials should have considered using a constitutional mechanism that could transfer presidential powers to the vice president.
Could The 25th Amendment Actually Be Used?
Invoking Section 4 of the 25th Amendment requires considerably more than criticism from political commentators.
The Constitution requires the participation of the vice president and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments, or another body Congress may establish.
If the president contests such a declaration and the vice president and Cabinet maintain their position, Congress can ultimately become involved.
A two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate would be necessary for the vice president to continue exercising presidential powers in such a dispute.
There is no indication from Carlson’s remarks alone that Trump administration officials are preparing to take that step.
For now, Carlson’s statement represents his own position on Trump’s handling of the conflict with Iran.
Still, the fact that such language is coming from one of the most recognizable figures in conservative media demonstrates just how significant the disagreement over Iran and U.S. foreign policy has become.
Carlson’s Comments Put Spotlight On Trump And Iran
Carlson’s remarks are likely to fuel a broader debate about presidential power, American military policy and the risks of escalating the conflict with Iran.
They also illustrate a growing split among prominent voices who have previously backed Trump but disagree strongly over foreign intervention.
Whether Carlson’s position gains support elsewhere remains to be seen.
What is clear is that his dispute with Trump has moved well beyond ordinary policy criticism.
By openly endorsing the use of the 25th Amendment, Carlson has turned his disagreement with the president into a much larger debate over executive power, constitutional authority and America’s role in the conflict with Iran.