As POTUS Donald Trump tests positive for Covid-19, its time to look twice at the real possibility of Vice President succeeding President Trump, that is , if the POTUS becomes incompetent to handle the responsibilities of the office.
Can President’s infection may become serious?
The answer is yes. He falls into the age group and has health complications that can effectively make him very ill – very fast.
The President of Unites States is 74 years old — and his weight makes him obese. At this point there is no public information that he has any other underlying condition such as renal, cardiological or any other problem. But the age itself puts the possibility of him becoming ineffective for his office – very real.
It’s time to discuss the line of succession
As per the US’ Presidential Succession Act of 1947 top four officers to potentially succeed POTUS, if he is ineffective for his office are:
- Vice President: Mike Pence
- Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate: Senator Chuck Grassley
- Secretary of State: Mike Pompeo
What can make Mike Pence take over as POTUS
As per the word of law if Donald Trump is incapacitated, dies, resigns, is for any reason unable to hold his office, or is removed from office, he will be replaced with Vice president – in this case Mike Pence.
Mike pence (Officially Michael R. Pence) is the 48th and current Vice President of the United States. Born in Indiana in 1959 has Five siblings. His parents ran a convenience store.
Mike has represented East-Central Indiana, six times in Congress and has served as Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee and House Republican Conference Chairman. He has also served as 50th Governor of Indiana.
During his acceptance speech for the nomination of Republican vice-presidential candidate at the 2016 Republican National Convention he said:
“I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order”
And what about the election next month?
We do not know! This is an uncharted territory. If Trump is unable to hold office now, while he has any hope of recovery – his name can stay on ballot papers. Upon a victory – he will be inaugurated for second term in January.
However, between now and election day if Trump’s name gets added to casualty list of Corona Virus – Democrats can get elected unopposed. That would not be an election at all and constitution validity of such a process is sure to end up in supreme court.
Mike Pence will be hard pressed to find a moral compass that placates both the Republicans and the Democrats. He will also be required to ensure that the constitutionality of his decisions in upright.
We may be in the territory of popular Netflix series Homeland and Pence – if faced with such choices may not have any good option.
