Is Pelosi acting as VP?
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That's news to me. Not saying i don't believe you though.
How does the actual succession mechanism function, if you don't mind me asking?
Amendment 25 to the Constitution (ratified in 1967) Presidential Disability and Succession.
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
There's more to the amendment, but this points out that nobody automatically becomes Vice President; the potential VP must be nominated by the president and then ratified by both houses before becoming the VP.
But if the VP doesn't exist (dead or resigned), the next in line to become President, ignoring the need for a VP, is as follows:
(Vice President, but see above) Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General ... and on down the line of cabinet secretaries in a specific order.
The rest of the 25th amendment is as follows, I highlighted the "interesting part" that I didn't know before and have never heard anyone mention. In theory it means some random group (the CDC? the Council on Foreign Relations? The American Kennel Club?) could invalidate the president if Congress went ahead and designated them. Farfetched, but we've been in clown-town for a while now.
Amendment 25 Presidential Disability and Succession.
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
Thanks. That's more info than i had before. Makes sense.