While undergoing a colonoscopy at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland, President Joe Biden will briefly hand over control to Vice President Kamala Harris.
This is not the first time such a procedure has caused a transfer of power; however, with tensions in the White House at the forefront of news these days, this is an interesting turn of events.
The President is Heading in for Surgery
“The president will visit Walter Reed Medical Center for a physical exam on Friday. The president will get a standard colonoscopy while he’s in there,” White House press director Jen Psaki said in a statement.
“This was the same case while President George Bush underwent the same surgery in 2002, as well as 2007, and in accordance with the Constitution,” Psaki said.
“Biden will relinquish power to the vice president for the brief amount of time he’s under anesthetic.”
Psaki stated Harris would then work from her desk in the West Wing of the White House. On Friday evening, the White House will release a report on Biden’s checkup and colonoscopy.
Vice President Harris to become first woman with presidential power while Biden is under anesthesia for routine colonoscopy https://t.co/SZnWkrlTNR
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) November 19, 2021
The president must sign a statement indicating his agreement to the shift of power. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the House Speaker, would be next in line to succeed the vice president if something happens to Biden.
Due to his elderly age, Biden has been hounded by worries about his condition since his inauguration in January. Subsequent polls suggest Americans are increasingly concerned about Biden’s medical and mental competence.
However, White House officials, particularly Biden, have frequently downplayed those worries. According to a Politico-Morning Consult survey taken this week, 46% say he is “mentally able” to carry out his duties as commanding officer.
Biden is a “fit, strong, 77-year-old man, who is able to effectively fulfill the duties of the president,” according to an extensive clinical report issued by his doctor in December 2019.
According to the study, Biden’s most recent severe medical incident occurred in 1988, when he had several cerebral aneurysms.
The Public Will Learn All the Detials
The White House stated repeatedly since Biden’s election that the president, who is 79 years old, will have a medical examination in 2021 and the results will be made public.
Kamala Harris To Take Power As Biden Undergoes Colonoscopy https://t.co/2BKxfI2CyH pic.twitter.com/jBv2S3QCKD
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) November 19, 2021
This power shift has only happened three times in the last three decades. Former President Reagan had cancer surgery in 1985, when Vice President George H.W. Bush took over as president.
Past President George W. Bush turned over authority to former Vice President Dick Cheney in 2002 and 2007, consecutively, while undergoing two colonoscopies.
When previous President Trump was admitted at Walter Reed with COVID-19 last year, administration officials stated there would be no authority transition to Vice President Mike Pence.
Trump walked outside the clinic in a vehicle and waved to fans before recovering several days later.
The White House did not say how long Biden will be at Walter Reed Hospital. The Epoch Times has reached out to the government for more information.
