Mediaboss Marketing

A growing number of Democrats are openly questioning President Trumps mental health.

Rep. Earl BlumenauerEarl BlumenauerDemocrats raise questions about Trumps mental health Dem launches panel to review presidential removal procedures 40 House Dems to urge Trump to suspend Flynn MORE (D-Ore.) in a floor speech this week called for a review of the Constitution's procedures for removing a president. He warned the 25th Amendment of the Constitution falls short when it comes to mental or emotional fitness for office.

Sen. Al FrankenAl FrankenAT&T, Time Warner defend deal The Hill's 12:30 Report FCC chair responds to Franken's net neutrality concerns MORE (D-Minn.) during a weekend interview with CNNs State of the Union said that a few Republican colleagues have expressed concern to him about Trump's mental health.

And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) plans to introduce legislation that would require the presence of a psychiatrist or psychologist in the White House.

Blumenauer told The Hill he started taking another look at the 25th Amendment because Trump had casually repeated easily disproven claims, such as stating that it wasnt raining during his speech on Inauguration Day when it was.

Its not normal behavior. I dont know anybody in a position of responsibility that doesnt know if theyre being rained on. And nobody I work with serially offers up verifiably false statements on an ongoing basis, he said in an interview steps from the House chamber.

But suggesting the president has a mental health problem invites criticism that Democrats are going too far.

Its divisive. The bottom line is, if Trump doesnt succeed, we all fail. Its time to give the guy a chance, said Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.).

Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) both burst out laughing when told some Democratic colleagues were questioning Trumps mental health.

Are you serious? Hunter asked. Yeah, I dont care what they say.

I think thats a stretch, Simpson said.

The White House didnt return a request for comment.

Trump and his supporters promoted conspiracy theories during the presidential campaign about Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonConway criticized by president of alma mater Buttigieg endorsed by ex-treasurer in DNC race Jerry Springer: Trumps media attacks go too far MOREs health, proving that both parties will take shots when it comes to an opponents physical and mental health.

But mental health professionals say the politicization comes at a cost. Political actors suggesting an opponent has psychological problems risks stigmatizing people with actual mental illnesses, they say.

I think the politicization is troubling, said Joshua Miller, a psychologist at the University of Georgia whose research focuses on pathological personality traits and personality disorders. We certainly wouldnt want individuals to use mental illness as a weapon to harm others.

The American Psychiatric Association has long held its unethical for psychiatrists to give professional opinions about public figures they havent personally examined.

Yet in a sign of the polarized times, thousands of mental health professionals have signed a Change.org petition declaring Trump is mentally ill and must be removed.

Thirty-five psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers also signed a letter to The New York Times saying that the grave emotional instability indicated by Mr. Trumps speech and actions makes him incapable of serving safely as president.

Lieu argued it's justifiable to scrutinize the mental health of anyone in control of the nation's nuclear codes.

I think it is a legitimate issue to raise. I am not a mental health professional, so I dont know in terms of any sort of medical expertise on this. But I do see and hear the same things that other people see and hear, and a lot of people have concluded that whats going on is not normal. So what do I do with that as a member of Congress? he told The Hill.

Anyone who can launch 4,000 nuclear weapons in minutes absolutely should be questioned on any matter related to their physical and mental health.

Blumenauer is starting a working group, which he says at least a half-dozen colleagues have expressed interest in joining, to review the presidential removal procedures.

He also plans to introduce legislation that would empower former presidents and vice presidents to determine, in coordination with the sitting vice president, if the president is unfit for office.

The 25th Amendment currently says a majority of Cabinet members must make that decision with the vice president, which Blumenauer says isnt enough if a mentally unsound president simply fires them all.

Asked if its appropriate for members of Congress to question the presidents mental health, Blumenauer replied: All Ive said is that this is strange behavior. Its not normal in the circles I run in. And it raises questions. People can make their own diagnosis. Im not.

Simpson, the Republican congressman who initially laughed off the Democrats remarks, said its fair to question Trumps judgment.

Now, to question his judgment, thats a different story, Simpson said. The behavior is somewhat disturbing."

He also said Trumps false statements could end up hurting him at some point.

The concern I have how do I say this and still be respectful? Every presidency, no matter who it is, theres going to come a point in the presidency where youre going to have to go to the American people and get their support for something, he said.

If this continues much longer, hes going to lose the ability to rally those people.

See the original post here:
Democrats raise questions about Trumps mental health | TheHill