But it is “highly unlikely” that Pence will follow this path at this point, the source said, as the effort is expected to be unsuccessful. Pence himself did not discuss invoking the 25th Amendment with any cabinet official, a government official told CNN.
However, two Cabinet secretaries called on other Cabinet members to take their “temperatures” over the demand for a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump to confront him about his behavior, three senior government officials told CNN.
The two cabinet secretaries discussed the possibility of requiring the president to make a public speech committing himself to a peaceful transfer of power, which Trump did on Thursday night in a pre-recorded video.
Hanging from the meeting would be the possibility that the majority of the Cabinet could invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from his power as president.
Federal department chiefs of staff have also called to discuss the possibility.
Some of the secretaries are hesitant to agree to a meeting because of the risk of an attempt to invoke the 25th Amendment, or that they would attract Trump’s ire.
Some officials were also concerned about the prospect of holding a cabinet meeting amid national discussions on the 25th Amendment. “Why take the risk?” said a senior official.
On Thursday night, Trump acknowledged in his pre-recorded video that he would not serve a second term. It remains to be seen whether this was enough to ease Cabinet members’ concerns and get discussions off the table.
A White House adviser in discussions with senior officials said that Trump only recorded the video because his presidency is currently threatened by imminent resignations and potential impeachment.
“I think the video was made just because almost all of its most senior employees were about to step down and impeachment is imminent,” said the consultant.
“That message and tone should have been transmitted on election night … not after people died,” added the adviser.