Maxine Waters Calls for 25th Amendment on Trump Over ‘Dangerous Power Grab’

A political firestorm erupted Friday after Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) called for invoking the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump, warning that his unprecedented firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook threatens the U.S. economy — and democracy itself.

“It is time to call for Article 25 of the Constitution to determine his unfitness, to determine that something’s wrong with this president,” Waters declared during an impassioned appearance on MSNBC’s The Weeknight. “This is absolutely one of the most destructive things a president could do. We cannot play around with this. We must act aggressively.”

Trump vs. the Fed: An Unprecedented Clash

Trump removed Cook from the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors on Monday, accusing her of misrepresenting mortgage information — allegations that legal experts say are unsubstantiated. Cook, the first Black woman to ever serve on the Fed board, sued the White House on Thursday, arguing that her dismissal violated federal law and demanding a restraining order to remain in her position.

“This move stands to upend the entire economy,” Waters warned. “Wall Street, interest rates, global markets — everything could be impacted. And now the president can make monetary decisions that personally benefit him. That should terrify every American.”

Trump’s removal of Cook escalates his long-running battle with the Federal Reserve, where he has repeatedly clashed with Chair Jerome Powell over monetary policy. Analysts warn the confrontation could reach the Supreme Court and reshape the balance of power between the White House and the Fed.

Democrats Sound the Alarm on “Authoritarian” Behavior

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) accused Trump of using Cook’s removal to “meddle” with the central bank.

“Donald Trump’s real preference is to fire Jerome Powell, but he knows that’s a bridge too far,” she said. “So instead, he’s using Lisa Cook as a pawn to destabilize the Fed from the inside. And let’s be clear — the so-called fraud she’s accused of doesn’t even exist. She didn’t get preferential mortgage rates, she broke no law. This is about control, not justice.”

MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend called the situation “jarring,” noting that “presidents have been impeached for much less.”

A Looming Constitutional Crisis

Legal experts say Cook’s lawsuit could set up one of the most consequential Supreme Court battles of Trump’s second term. If the court sides with Trump, future presidents could gain unprecedented power over an institution meant to operate independently from political influence.

“This is the most aggressive attack on the Federal Reserve’s independence in modern history,” said Dr. Rachel Freedman, an economist at Georgetown University. “If Trump succeeds, it will fundamentally change how our economy is managed — and not in a good way.”

What Comes Next

As Democrats rally behind Waters’ call for the 25th Amendment, Republicans are largely standing by Trump, arguing he has the authority to remove Fed officials. But even some moderate conservatives have privately expressed concern over what one GOP aide called “a dangerous precedent.”

“This isn’t just about Lisa Cook,” Waters warned. “This is about the president consolidating power at the expense of our democracy. We cannot allow him to turn the economy into his personal ATM.”

With Cook’s lawsuit fast-tracked and Waters’ calls for constitutional intervention gaining steam, Washington is bracing for a showdown that could redefine the limits of presidential authority.