Doctors are concerned about Donald Trump's mental fitness.
Doctor Says Trump Needs Immediate ‘Hospital-Level’ Care Over Mental Fitness
May 14 2026, Published 1:12 p.m. ET
A forensic psychiatrist who has often questioned President Donald Trump’s fitness for office stated he needs “immediate, even hospital-level, care.” A group of medical experts urged Congress to consider his removal on medical grounds.
Dr. Bandy X. Lee made this comment to The Independent after joining 36 physicians and other doctors with mental health expertise.
They signed a statement calling for Trump’s “immediate, lawful removal from office for medical reasons.”
Mental health specialists are concerned about President Donald Trump.
The Senate offices of Democratic Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed from Rhode Island entered the statement into the Congressional Record, according to materials published by Lee.
“I believe it is no longer difficult for even the average person to see that he is in need of immediate, even hospital-level, care,” Lee told The Independent.
The doctors did not provide a formal diagnosis but said they were acting on what they described as a clear pattern of public behavior.
Their statement referenced Trump’s “bizarre and impulsive behavior,” “rambling digressions,” “factual confusions,” abrupt changes on national and international issues, and “deeply impaired judgment.”
The group emphasized the urgency of their warning since the president controls decisions involving nuclear weapons.
They stated the current system allows a president to choose the time and target of a nuclear launch without oversight. They called for lawful steps to remove Trump from office.
Trump says TDS is a disease to a room full of doctors.
Lee, a former Yale School of Medicine faculty member and forensic psychiatrist, became one of the most visible medical critics of Trump during his first term.
She edited the 2017 book The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, which collected essays from psychiatrists and mental health experts about his behavior.
This latest statement comes as Trump’s physical and mental fitness faces renewed scrutiny before his 80th birthday in June.
The White House announced Trump is scheduled for a medical and dental checkup at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 26. This will be his fourth publicized visit to medical experts since returning to office.
Trump has dismissed questions about his health and insists he feels strong. During an Oval Office event on Monday, he stated he feels the same as he did 50 years ago, adding, “I feel literally the same,” according to The Associated Press.
The president’s doctor, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, said following Trump’s April 2025 physical that he was “fully fit” to serve as commander in chief, according to AP. Barbabella also mentioned Trump had lost 20 pounds since a 2020 checkup.
In recent months, public attention has focused on Trump’s health after visible bruising or discoloration appeared on his hands. The White House attributed the bruising to frequent handshaking and aspirin use.
Trump mentioned he had a CT scan during an October visit to Walter Reed to rule out cardiovascular issues, stating the test showed no abnormalities, according to Reuters.
The doctors’ statement also came just before constitutional lawyer Bruce Fein and consumer advocate Ralph Nader sent an open letter to Congress.
They urged legislation under the 25th Amendment, which outlines procedures for transferring presidential power if a president cannot carry out the duties of office.
The White House has not accepted the doctors’ claims. Trump and his allies have generally dismissed questions about his mental fitness as partisan attacks, pointing to his schedule, public appearances, and official medical reports as proof that he remains capable of serving.