If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

When the President is unable to fulfill their duties, the Vice President is next in line to assume the presidency. This provision is established in the Presidential Succession Act, as well as the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which outlines the order of succession. The Vice President is specifically designated to step in for the President, ensuring a smooth transition of power and continuity of leadership.

This succession system is critical for maintaining stability in the executive branch of the government; it ensures that there is always a legally recognized leader in place. Other roles like the Secretary of State, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice may hold significant positions within the government, but they do not have the constitutional authority to assume the presidency in this context. The Vice President's role as the immediate successor reinforces the principle of elected leadership, as the Vice President is also an elected official who has been chosen alongside the President by the electorate.