Pols, a Professor, and Trump: The Mental Health Pow‑wow
What Went Down on a December Day in Washington
On December 5th and 6th, a handful of U.S. Congress members – almost all Democrats – sat down for a front‑row seat with Yale’s Dr. Bandy Lee. The class act behind the scene? A professor of psychiatry who just finished the book The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, which boasts 27 psychiatrists weighing in on the President’s mental fitness.
Why the Congress Members Came to See a Yale Expert
According to reporters, lawmakers were “very concerned” about Trump’s “dangerousness” and how his mental “instability could pose a threat to the nation.” Dr. Lee echoed the sentiment, remarking that the party divide isn’t huge for Democrats, but “depends on Republicans.” (She kept the lone Republican attendee under wraps.)
Dr. Lee’s Take‑away
- Trump’s Condition is Forecasted to Escalate. She warned that the pressures of the presidency could drive him to an “uncontainable” state.
- Only 13 lawmakers were briefed – 12 Democrats and a single unnamed Republican.
- Her assessment runs amok of the American Psychiatric Association’s “Goldwater Rule,” which says doctors shouldn’t opine on someone they haven’t personally examined.
White House’s Rebuttal
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders called the remarks “disgraceful and laughable.” She insisted if Trump “were unfit,” he’d have never won the 2016 Republican primary, beating a field that was, quite frankly, the most qualified group the GOP has seen.
Going Further: A Congressional Bill in the Making
- 57 House Democrats are co‑sponsoring a proposal to set up a commission that would determine if the President is mentally or physically hampered.
- There are two constitutional routes to remove a president:
- The impeachment path – House votes to impeach, Senate votes to eject.
- The 25th Amendment – Vice President cracks the whip if the VP and a majority of the cabinet sign off on the President’s inability to run the country.
The Bottom Line
While some call it a heat‑wave of political drama, at its core it’s a real (though controversial) question about a leader’s mental fitness. Whether it ends up on a courtroom bench, a congressional hearing, or a white‑board analysis, the story’s still unfolding – and it’s definitely not something you’d skip over in a news cycle.
