Someone asked on Twitter and I'm curious too-- can trump be Involuntarily Committed?

[ecstatic]

Who Can Get Someone Involuntarily Hospitalized?

Emergency detentions, in which immediate psychiatric help is being sought, are usually initiated by family members or friends who have observed the person's behavior. Sometimes it's initiated by the police, although any adult could request an emergency detention. The exact procedures vary by state, with many states requiring judicial approval or evaluation by a doctor confirming that the person meets the state's criteria for hospitalization.

Patients may also be admitted for what is known as observational institutionalization, in which hospital staff may observe the patient to determine a diagnosis and administer limited treatment. Application for this type of hospitalization can usually be made by any adult who has a reason to do so, but some states require that the application is made by a doctor or hospital personnel. And most require that an observational institutionalization receives the approval of the courts.

The third type of hospitalization, extended commitment, is a bit more difficult to obtain. Generally, it requires one or more persons from a specific group of people - such as friends, relatives, guardians, public officials, and hospital personnel - to apply for one. Often a certificate or affidavit from one or more physicians or mental health professionals describing the patient's diagnosis and treatment must accompany the application. In virtually all states a hearing must be held, with a judge or jury making the final decision about whether the person can be held.

[RockRaven]

1. Why bother when arrest is a much more straight forward option?

There's ample evidence to justify it, and there's precedent.