Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) says he will introduce legislation that requires all future presidential candidates to have their mental health evaluated before they launch their campaigns. The idea was inspired by recent tweets from President Trump where he reassured followers he’s a very “stable genius” in light of questions swirling around his mental fitness to be president.
Boyle plans to introduce the “Stable Genius Act” in the House this Tuesday, according to a press release.
From The Hill:
The act would require all presidential candidates to file a Federal Election Commission (FEC) report “certifying that he or she has undergone medical examination by the medical office under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy.”
Boyle said in the statement that American voters have the right to know whether a candidate has the mental fortitude to withstand the pressures of the White House.
“Before voting for the highest office in the land, Americans have a right to know whether an individual has the physical and mental fitness to serve as President,” Boyle said.
This past weekend, Trump lashed out at claims made in Michael Wolff’s book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, where White House aides are quoted as saying his mental state is questionable.
“Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart,” Trump tweeted on Saturday. “Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star…to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius….and a very stable genius at that!”
….Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018
Boyle doesn’t agree with Trump’s opinion of himself.
“The President believes he is a ‘stable genius.’ I do not,” Boyle said according to The Hill. “President Trump’s reckless, erratic behavior has exposed a critical flaw in our existing election process.”
“While it is necessary to take the current President’s concerning behavior seriously and I support legislation to address these ongoing concerns, I believe we must also be proactive and do all we can to ensure a situation like this does not arise again.”
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