ExplainerCoronavirus: what happens if Trump becomes incapacitated
- Technically obese and in his 70s, Donald Trump is in a higher-risk category for coronavirus patients
- The US Constitution stipulates what is meant to happen if the US president becomes incapacitated
Like two US presidents before him, Donald Trump could temporarily hand over power to his vice-president should he become incapacitated, for example while undergoing a medical procedure as treatment for the coronavirus.
Under Section 3 of the US Constitution’s 25th Amendment, adopted in 1967 following the 1963 assassination of President John Kennedy, Trump could declare in writing his inability to discharge his duties.
Vice-President Mike Pence would become acting president, although Trump would remain in office. The president would regain his powers by declaring in writing that he is again ready to discharge them.
The 25th Amendment’s Section 4 also offers a path to stripping a president of power if, for instance, his Cabinet believes he has become incapacitated, but this has never been invoked.
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US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19