This diary is pure speculation, motivated by some curious circumstances and rumors.
First, pEnce has cut short his state visits to South America. That’s unusual. Second. tRump has cut short his vacation. Even more unusual. The stated reason in both cases is for a meeting at Camp David to discuss south Asia policy. Really? There’s something happening in south Asia that merits changing schedules around and having a high-level administration meeting? At Camp David? tRump is well-known to hate Camp David, so why is the meeting not happening at one his gold-plated properties, or even the White House?
Of course, it’s much easier to hide *who* is attending a meeting at Camp David than it would be at a more public venue.
This has led to all kinds internet speculation. Maybe tRump is going to resign. (The guy who ghost-wrote his book for him says that’s exactly what he’s going to do, and soon.) Maybe he’s going to be forced to resign. Maybe pEnce is going to invoke the 25th Amendment, or threaten to do so. Maybe tRump plans to plea-bargain with Mueller. Personally, I think these all about as likely as my cat standing on his hind legs and quoting the Canterbury Tales. In Olde English.
So, I thought, why not add another unlikely speculation to the list? What, I wondered, could tRump do that would be (a) stupid (I know—an unlimited list); (b) unexpected; (c) add to the chaos of his administration?
Then it dawned on me. What if tRump himself invoked the 25th Amendment? He sends a letter to Ryan saying he’s “temporarily indisposed” and sPence becomes “Acting President.” As a short-term strategy, it almost makes sense. It eases up on any pressure the GOPers in Congress might be feeling to stand up to him, or even impeach him. He’ll get sympathy from all the GOPer rubes for his “ill health.” He can scope out who’s loyal and who’s not by how they act during his “indisposition.” He can even be “well enough” to still have rallies to enflame his Nazi base. If he invokes Section 3, there’s no basis for pEnce to invoke Section 4. Best of all, with the stroke of a pen, he’s back being President any time he wants.
This part of the 25th Amendment has been invoked previously—for example, in 2007 when Bush had colonoscopy. But we’ve never had it’s application extend longer than a few hours. If this runs for weeks, what happens? Does pEnce get to appoint new cabinet members? Does he move into the White House?
Chaos.
I could even see, in his deranged mind, that he would think this would slow the pace of the Mueller investigation—but personally I think nothing is going to slow that. It’s an inevitable juggernaut that’s going uncover his undoubted crimes, and in a way that even our awful Congress will have to hold him to account for them.
As a long-term strategy, tRump invoking the 25th sucks. But tRump is incapable of thinking long-term. Plus, he would relish the chaos this could generate.
Thoughts?
Remember, you heard it here first.
And no, I don’t really think this will happen...but when dealing with a bat-shit crazy man-child, who knows?