By: Akanksha A. Panicker
The twenty-fifth amendment (Amendment XXV) to the United States Constitution concerns with presidential succession and disabilities. It reiterates that the Vice-President would become President under the circumstances of presidential [A.] death [B.] resignation or [C.] disqualification from office. It points out how a vacancy in the Vice President’s office can also be formed.
This also provides for the temporary transition of the President’s responsibilities to the Vice-President, either by the President alone or by the Vice-President, along with a majority of the President’s cabinet. In this case, the vice president will become acting president. The amendment points out how the President’s authority and responsibilities will be passed over to the President.
The storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday has prompted some lawmakers to remove him from office before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20. Consequently, the debate has ensued between the use of second-time impeachment proceedings against the 25th Amendment. However, both scenarios provide that Vice President Mike Pence would take over until Biden’s inauguration.
