As Donald Trump's administration has careened from humiliating disaster to dangerous defense of hate groups to xenophobic and Islamophobic immigration policies and a million other terrible stories that are not worthy of the presidency, there has been a recurring refrain from critics. How can so many of Donald Trump's advisers anonymously tell reporters they're disgusted and disturbed by the president's actions, and yet continue going to work for him? Where are the mass resignations? Where are the public and dignified stands against all of the things they are more than happy to distance themselves from while talking off the record to Maggie Haberman? And time after time, these advisers respond, again anonymously, that the reason they've stayed on is to try to protect America from Donald Trump.

Here's an excerpt from Axios characterizing their sources’ defense of their continued employment:

"You have no idea how much crazy stuff we kill": The most common response centers on the urgent importance of having smart, sane people around Trump to fight his worst impulses. If they weren't there, they say, we would have a trade war with China, massive deportations, and a government shutdown to force construction of a Southern wall. "General Mattis needs us": Many talk about their reluctance to bolt on their friends and colleagues who are fighting the good fight to force better Trump behavior/decisions. They rightly point out that together, they have learned how to ignore Trump's rhetoric and, at times, collectively steer him to more conventional policy responses.

On one hand, I get it. It's a good impulse to see something dangerous and try to stop it. But this raises a few questions. First, they've done a TERRIBLE job at stopping Donald Trump from being monstrous. A Muslim ban, nuclear threats against North Korea, defending Nazis and KKK members? He's done all of these things, so are they really making that much of a difference? I don't get the sense that Donald Trump can be talked out of much once he's decided on it. But more importantly, if in fact it's true that Donald Trump cannot be trusted without these brave and smart babysitters protecting us, then isn't that a pretty great argument for his removal? Now, how could such a removal work? Well, there's obviously impeachment, but that would require Congress to actually do stuff, so that seems out of the question. But it's the other option that's been getting a lot of attention of late, and that's the 25th Amendment.

Specifically Section 4 of the 25th amendment, which allows for a president to be stripped of his powers should the vice president and a majority of the cabinet deem the president unfit for office. It's hard to look at what these anonymous Trump advisers are saying and not feel like we're already past the point where this should happen. I mean, if these people are truly terrified of what could happen should they leave, and they have the most inside look at what the president is like, then maybe somebody else should be president.

That said, there are reasons why the 25th isn't the best option. For one thing, it's a dangerous precedent wherein nine people (eight cabinet members and the VP) can just change who the president is. And furthermore, it's hugely destabilizing, because it doesn't permanently remove power. Trump would be able to appeal to Congress and then they'd need to get a two-thirds super-majority in both houses to select Pence for the top job. So really, that brings us back to option number one.

Congress needs to listen to those closest to Trump. He's dangerous and is only a few firings away from doing even worse things. They should act while they still can and begin impeachment proceedings. That said, I'm not holding my breath. The 25th Amendment is the coward's way out, so even if it comes time to remove Trump, I'm sure Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell will do everything they can to pass the buck to Pence and the cabinet. I call it The Congressional Constant: If there's a way for Congress to disappoint you, they will disappoint you.

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