Could Joe Biden be declared unfit to carry on as President?

In brief…

• Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race earlier this month after facing a wave of calls to step aside
• But if his health deteriorated, or if his own party moved against him again, there is a chance he could leave the White House before the election even begins
• Republicans will likely claim Biden is not fit to carry on, but the Democrats have got what they wanted for now, say The News Agents.

Many Democrats breathed a sigh of relief when Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, making way for Vice President Kamala Harris.

For now, the 81-year-old remains in the driving seat of the most powerful country in the world.

But could those questions about his age, health and mental sharpness come back to bite him again?

Would he really leave the White House before the presidential election even takes place in November? If he did, how would it work? And is it the right thing to do?

Here’s what the News Agents say

Jon Sopel said it is possible Joe Biden is removed from office if he agrees to leave on his own accord.

Jon was responding to a question asked by listener David in a US election Q&A special of The News Agents.

But this may not be the smartest decision on Biden’s part, says Emily Maitlis.

She says: “I just think politically, it is hugely risky to do that. Because the one thing Joe Biden doesn't want to do is primarily lose to Donald Trump, and secondarily, somehow stain his own presidency. And he's already basically taken this unprecedented step.

Emily adds: “I think that he will feel he has done as much as he can to set Kamala up to win, to give her the best start, to give her his benediction, but actually to see himself out graciously.”

How would the process work?

Biden announced he tested positive for Covid-19 last week, sparking some concerns that his health could get worse. If his health deteriorated to such an extent that his cabinet felt that he was no longer fit to carry on, Jon says it is “absolutely conceivable” that they could try to invoke the 25th amendment.

This states that the Vice President becomes President “in case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation.”

Jon explains: “You have a majority of your cabinet pass a motion, saying he's unfit and that then goes to the House of Representatives to be confirmed, and you are effectively kicked out of office.”

Will Biden come under pressure to leave office?

Only from Republicans, according to Emily.

She says: “I think you will see Republicans saying that he's not fit to carry on. And if he's not fit to run, he's not fit to carry on, therefore he ought to go.”

But that won’t be the same with the Democrats.

Emily adds: ”I think the Democratic Party has got to the place where it wanted to get to, which was to persuade him to do it [drop out of the presidential race].

“So I don't think anyone in his cabinet would move against him, unless there was a sudden and dramatic deterioration.”