If the President of the United States can no longer serve due to death, resignation, removal, or incapacitation, the Vice President becomes President, as established by the U.S. Constitution and clarified by the 25th Amendment
. If the Vice President is unable to serve, the presidential succession continues in the following order:
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Secretary of Defense
- Attorney General
- Secretary of the Interior
- Secretary of Agriculture
- Secretary of Commerce
- Secretary of Labor
- Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Secretary of Transportation
- Secretary of Energy
- Secretary of Education
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- Secretary of Homeland Security
This order is defined by the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 and follows the creation dates of the respective cabinet departments
. The 25th Amendment also provides procedures for situations where the President is temporarily unable to perform duties, allowing the Vice President to act as President until the President can resume duties
