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Unable: The Law, Politics, and Limits of Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment
Since the election of President Donald Trump, the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution-covering presidential incapacity-has been a frequent topic of public discussion. Meanwhile, Section 4 has become a mainstay in television dramas, which usually represents it inaccurately.
The country needs this complicated but essential topic explained. Unable: The Law, Politics, and Limits of Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment is designed to educate and inform the public about Section 4 in an evenhanded and accessible way. This book is not about President Trump; it offers no opinions on his fitness for office. By the end of the book, though, it will be clear how Section 4 applies to him, as well as to any other president.
The country needs this complicated but essential topic explained. Unable: The Law, Politics, and Limits of Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment is designed to educate and inform the public about Section 4 in an evenhanded and accessible way. This book is not about President Trump; it offers no opinions on his fitness for office. By the end of the book, though, it will be clear how Section 4 applies to him, as well as to any other president.
- GenresNonfiction
228 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 16, 2020
Really fascinating slim volume that is neither dry nor too scholarly to be inaccessible to a lay person.
October 12, 2019
Liking this book _Unable_ by Brian Kalt. It's about the 25th Amendment section 4 (which says that if a president is _unable_ to serve, the VP and Cabinet can have the VP step in and serve as Acting President). It's not a partisan book, it's just the facts. Author cites legal sources throughout, but the book is written simply and clearly for ordinary folks (non-lawyers). Key points:
* If you saw it in a movie or on TV, chances are the show got it wrong.
* The clause's clear purpose is not to remove a bad president, it's to make sure there always is a president.
* If impeachment applies, that's more appropriate and in fact easier.
* The Acting President serves temporarily not permanently. When the elected president is again able to serve, s/he takes over again, assuming the VP agrees.
* If the elected president contests the judgment of inability, the VP remains Acting President for the 4 to 27 days during which the question is decided.
* It remains unclear whether acting cabinet members (not confirmed by the Senate) count in the initial vote.
* If you saw it in a movie or on TV, chances are the show got it wrong.
* The clause's clear purpose is not to remove a bad president, it's to make sure there always is a president.
* If impeachment applies, that's more appropriate and in fact easier.
* The Acting President serves temporarily not permanently. When the elected president is again able to serve, s/he takes over again, assuming the VP agrees.
* If the elected president contests the judgment of inability, the VP remains Acting President for the 4 to 27 days during which the question is decided.
* It remains unclear whether acting cabinet members (not confirmed by the Senate) count in the initial vote.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews