How Mike Pence take over temporarily if Donald Trump becomes incapacitated

photo credit: Gage Skidmore

Donald Trump could temporarily cede power to his deputy if he becomes incapacitated, for example while undergoing a medical procedure as a treatment for coronavirus.

President Trump said Friday that he has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is in quarantine to begin the recovery process immediately.

Under Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution’s 25th Amendment, Vice President Mike Pence will become acting president, although President Trump remains in office. The president will restore his powers by declaring in writing that he is ready to discharge them.

Section 4 of Amendment 25 also provides a way to strip a president of power, for example, if his cabinet thinks he is incapacitated, but this has never been invoked.

On June 29, 2002, President George W. Bush invoked Article 3, temporarily transferring his powers to Vice President Dick Cheney before undergoing a colonoscopy. Cheney was acting president from 7:09 am. It's 9:24 am

If two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of their respective chambers vote that the President is incapable of performing the duties of the office, the Vice President will remain acting president until the next scheduled presidential election determines the next concern of the House. . Otherwise, the president resumes office.

CTM NEWS 02 Oct 2020