Democrats Demand Trump’s Removal After Threatening Iran Civilization

President Donald Trump sparked a fierce political backlash Tuesday after threatening to destroy “a whole civilization” if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil passage. The threat, issued on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social with an 8 p.m. deadline, drew condemnation from dozens of congressional Democrats who called for his removal from office. More than 70 Democrats, including senators and representatives, urged invoking the 25th Amendment or pursuing impeachment proceedings against Trump. “Donald Trump’s instability is more clear and dangerous than ever,” said former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “If the Cabinet is not willing to invoke the 25th Amendment and restore sanity, Republicans must reconvene Congress to end this war.”

Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts called for Congress to return to session and remove Trump, stating, “The House must pass articles of impeachment, and then the Senate must vote to convict and remove the President. Or, the cabinet and Vice President, with congressional concurrence, must invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump.” Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut agreed, saying, “No President in control of his senses would publicly promise to eradicate an entire civilization.” Representative Ro Khanna of California described Trump’s threats as “a blatant violation of our constitution and the Geneva Conventions,” emphasizing the need to “use all options” to remove him.

The United Nations also weighed in, with its official X account reminding that “wars have rules,” and Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the wholesale destruction of civilian infrastructure and suffering. Some Republicans expressed concern as well. Representative Nathaniel Moran of Texas said he did “not support the destruction of a ‘whole civilization,'” calling it inconsistent with American principles. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska urged de-escalation, warning that the threat “cannot be excused away as an attempt to gain leverage in negotiations with Iran.” Former Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, once Trump supporters, also called for his removal.

Less than two hours before the deadline, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire contingent on Iran’s “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” delaying the threatened attacks. Despite the ceasefire, many Democrats maintained their calls for removal. Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts said, “Temporary ceasefire or not, Trump already committed an impeachable offense. Congress needs to get back to work and remove him from office before he does more damage to our country and the world.”

Trump, who was impeached twice during his first term and acquitted both times by a Republican-led Senate, faces renewed scrutiny amid fears of a potential third impeachment. At a recent House Republican policy retreat, he predicted that if Republicans do not win the 2026 midterms, he would be impeached again by a Democratic-led House.