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

The Vice President becomes President if the sitting President can no longer serve. This protocol is established by the Presidential Succession Act and has been reinforced by the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment clarifies the line of succession and ensures a clear transfer of power, maintaining the continuity of the executive branch.

In situations such as the death, resignation, or removal of a President, the Vice President is constitutionally designated as the immediate successor. This is important for maintaining stability in leadership and governance, as the Vice President is already in a position of readiness to assume the presidency and often has experience and knowledge of the administration's policies and decisions.

Other options refer to different roles in the line of succession. For instance, the Secretary of State and members of the Cabinet follow the Vice President in the order of succession, but they do not ascend to the presidency unless the Vice President is unable or unwilling to take on the role. The Speaker of the House is also further down the line following the Vice President, which illustrates the structured hierarchy designed to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.