What if Trump unfit to run the Presidency- (Current Affair TKB)

25th amendment of US

Issue

With weeks to go before the US presidential election, President Donald Trump announced that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for Covid-19.

Background

Donald Trump is 74 years old and overweight by default which places him in a potentially higher risk category for complications associated with the deadly infection.

Details

• The 25th amendment of the US constitution comes with the rule raised as a clear succession plan if a president suddenly dies, resigns or is incapacitated while still in office.
• The amendment was ratified by Congress in 1963 following the assassination of former President John F Kennedy.
• After going through Section 3 of the 25th amendment if Trump’s condition were to deteriorate to a point where he is unable to carry out his responsibilities as President, his Vice President Mike Pence can temporarily assume office. Once President Trump recovers he can then reclaim his position.
• Section 4 of the 25th amendment comes with that the Vice President and a majority of either the Cabinet or any other body established by law, can also declare the president as unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office by sending a written declaration to senate.
• If any such a situation arise Pence will immediately assume the powers of the president until Trump responds in writing that he is not, in fact, disabled.
• In a highly unlikely scenario where both the President and Vice President were to contract the illness and pass away, the constitution also lays down a clear line of succession.
• According to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, if both Trump and Pence are suddenly incapacitated, US House of Representatives Speaker will take over as commander-in-chief of the United States.
• If President Trump or any other candidate were to pass away before the election then it would be up to their political party to choose their successor.