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Trump announced on Twitter on Friday (October 2) that he and his first lady, Melania Trump, were tested and confirmed to be infected with the novel COVID-19 coronavirus and in isolation.
Currently, Trump has only “mild symptoms,” but if his illness worsens and he is unable to perform his duties, the United States Constitution provides:
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution allows the president to transfer power to the vice president.
This means that current Vice President Pence will become the interim president of the United States until Trump recovers and returns to the presidency.
This happened during the administrations of former President Reagan and George W. Bush.
If the president’s health is too bad to transfer power, the cabinet and vice president can declare that the president cannot continue to serve and Pence will take over.
If Pence also fails to fulfill his duties, according to the “Presidential Succession Act” of the United States, the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Pelosi (Democrat), will be the next to succeed. However, constitutional experts say such a transfer of power will provoke legal disputes.
If Pelosi is unwilling or unable to take office, then the presidency will be temporarily transferred to a high-ranking Republican senator. The current candidate is Charles Grassley (Charles Grassley), 87. But this will almost certainly face legal challenges as well.
Will the general elections be postponed?
The quarantine period after President Trump tested positive for the new crown will definitely affect his campaign before the election.
Therefore, some people have asked if the general election could be postponed. If postponed, what are the paperwork?
Under US law, general elections are held every four years, on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and this year is November 3.
Changing this date requires the decision of US lawmakers, not the president.
Changing the date of the general election requires a majority vote in the Senate and House of Representatives. This is unlikely, because the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives also needs to pass.
Even if the date of the elections changes, the Constitution of the United States stipulates that the term of the president is only four years. Therefore, the term of the Trump administration will automatically end on January 20, 2021.
To change this date, the premise is to modify the Constitution of the United States.
Amendments to the constitution must be supported by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, or proposed by two-thirds of state legislatures and then approved by three-quarters of state legislatures.
It is unlikely.