Rep.
Mark Takano, a California Democrat, used a Friday hearing to go at Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
Kennedy Jr.
on President Donald Trump’s mental health—especially over several of Trump’s social media posts from recent weeks.
The exchange got sharp fast, with Takano trying to force the secretary to acknowledge public concerns.
Takano’s cited posts take center stage
Takano grilled Kennedy during a hearing focused on Trump’s mental health, pressing him on whether the president should be removed under the 25th Amendment.
He cited a statement Trump issued on April 7th, saying it warned that “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.
I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.” Takano framed it as evidence of extreme thinking, turning quickly to the constitutional question that’s been looming in the background: whether this level of behavior should trigger a removal process.
“And five days later, the President started posting on Truth Social at 9 p.m.
at night, continuing until 5 a.m.
the next morning,” Takano said, before moving into what he described as an “unhinged attack” on Pope Leo—claiming the Pope was “weak on crime.” In the middle of the back-and-forth, he also pointed to a later post in which Trump shared an image of himself as Jesus Christ.
Takano’s tone stayed consistent—more outraged than curious—and he didn’t really let Kennedy get settled into a straightforward response.
A couple of minutes into the pair already sparring over whether or not Trump should be removed under the 25th Amendment, Takano said people across the country and around the world were “deeply offended” and worried about Trump’s mental fitness and emotional stability.
He asked Kennedy directly if he shared those concerns.
“Absolutely not,” Kennedy replies
Kennedy began to answer—“I call your attention–” he started—but Takano cut him back in. The congressman accused Kennedy of not being responsive, saying, “My question was: Do you share their concerns about his mental health?” and then repeating that Kennedy “apparently” did not.
The hearing moment turned into a push-pull over who held the floor and what the secretary would actually confirm.
Takano argued that the country is “at war,” and that the public needs a leader with “full command of his mental faculties” and emotional stability—because the president’s decisions send “uniformed American men and women into harm’s way.” He returned again to the idea that Trump may be “delusional,” and then pressed for what he wanted as a concrete next step.
“Mr. Secretary, given everything that I’ve shown you today, will you insist that President Trump undergo an assessment of his mental fitness and his emotional stability?” Takano asked.
Kennedy’s response was brief and absolute: “Absolutely not.”
Takano didn’t let it sit there.
He thanked Kennedy, then moved into the 25th Amendment duty language, saying Kennedy has a responsibility to remove a president who is “physically or mentally unable” to discharge responsibilities.
Takano concluded by reminding Kennedy that his oath is to the Constitution, not to Trump.
The room felt tense—there was that quiet rustle of papers and the low hum of the hearing, the kind of sound you notice when people stop talking for a half-beat and then jump back in.
Watch the clip above.
Republicans edge toward a breaking point on Trump