If Trump Tests Positive for COVID, Pence to Serve as Acting President

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] There are predictions that Vice President Mike Pence will assume presidential powers following U.S. President Donald Trump's positive diagnosis for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Although White House physician Sean Conley predicted that "President Trump will be able to continue working during his recovery period," since he will be staying at the residence for treatment and recovery for some time, there is a possibility that presidential powers may be temporarily transferred.

According to U.S. media on the 2nd (local time), the first in the presidential line of succession is the Vice President, followed by the Speaker of the House.

Amendment 25 of the U.S. Constitution allows the President to temporarily transfer powers to the Vice President if medically unable to perform duties.

The President can reclaim powers at any time if deemed capable of performing duties.

According to The New York Times (NYT), powers have been transferred to the Vice President three times in total.

Former President Ronald Reagan transferred powers to the Vice President in 1985 for a colonoscopy, and former President George W. Bush temporarily transferred powers to Vice President Dick Cheney in 2002 and 2007.

If both President Trump and Vice President Pence are unable to perform their duties, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Democratic Party) will assume the powers.

The subsequent order of succession is the President pro tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and so on.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.