'Widespread mental illness!' Republicans lash out as 25th Amendment debate ignites

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jamie Raskin is taking formal action to create a congressional commission to assess President Donald Trump's fitness for office, and Republicans couldn't be less interested.

The Maryland Democrat, who served as lead House manager in Trump's Jan. 6 impeachment trial, told Raw Story on Wednesday that he is introducing legislation to establish a permanent body under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, which has never been used in American history.

"I am for the body called for by the 25th Amendment as a standing permanent body for every president — Democrat, Republican, Independent," Raskin said. "The Republicans refuse to deal with this as a serious constitutional question, and that's sad."

Republicans confronted by Raw Story in the Capitol hallways were unmoved.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) dismissed the effort as "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and suggested Democrats suffer from "widespread mental illness." Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) called Trump "better than sliced bread."

"Listen, everybody's going to find a way to poke holes at Donald Trump right now, and I think it's sad, but that's just the way the Democrat Party plays," said Nehls.

Nehls scoffed at Raskin's 25th Amendment commission and waved off any notion that Trump has made "erratic decisions," despite soaring energy prices and the president taking aim at Pope Leo XIV.

"25th? Oh, come on. He's gotta talk about something, I guess. It's just absolutely ridiculous," said Nehls.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) called questions about Trump's mental acuity "absurd," while Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) fired back, "We should've done that during Biden's term."

Raskin noted the irony that his Republican colleagues on the Oversight Committee had already set the precedent by demanding President Joe Biden's physician testify about his mental fitness.

In a sharp coda, Raskin also weighed in on the resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) over sexual misconduct allegations, drawing a pointed contrast between the parties.

"I'm proud of the Democrats who take an emphatic stand against sexual harassment and for the rights of women across the board," Raskin said. "We don't see the same thing on the other side."