Who leads if U.S. president is incapacitated?

The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has raised urgent questions about who would take charge had the gunman succeeded in targeting top administration officials

Attended White House Correspondents’ Dinner

If president dies or is unable to perform duties, vice president takes over and serves remainder of Trump’s term, ending in Jan 2029

Largely ceremonial post typically held by longest-serving member from majority party, currently, Senator Grassley, aged 92

After congressional leaders, succession continues through Cabinet members, in order their departments were established

... list goes on with Secretaries of following departments: Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labour, Health, Housing, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security

Designated Survivor To ensure at least one leader survives catastrophic event, presidents select one Cabinet member to skip major gatherings. Trump’s choice is Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins (above)

Donald Trump
U.S. President
JD Vance
Vice President
Mike Johnson
House of Representatives Speaker
Chuck Grassley
President Pro Tempore of Senate
Todd Blanche*
Attorney General
Pete Hegseth
Defence Secretary
Scott Bessent
Treasury Secretary
Marco Rubio
Secretary of State

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ELIGIBILITY: Anyone in line of succession must meet constitutional requirements to be president

Be at ​least 35 years old

Be natural-born U.S. citizen

U.S. resident for at least 14 years

*Not clear whether he would ‌qualify, ⁠as he has not been Senate-confirmed

Sources: U.S. Government, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images, Newscom
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