The line of succession for the presidency of the United States is determined by the U.S. Constitution and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947. The order of succession is as follows:
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- President pro tempore of the Senate
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Secretary of Defense
- Attorney General
- Secretary of the Interior
- Secretary of Agriculture
- Secretary of Commerce
- Secretary of Labor
- Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Secretary of Transportation
- Secretary of Energy
- Secretary of Education
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- Secretary of Homeland Security
If the President and Vice President are both unable to carry out their duties, the Speaker of the House of Representatives becomes President, followed by the President pro tempore of the Senate and then the Cabinet members in the order of their creation.
It is worth noting that the line of succession can change depending on the current administration. For example, as of August 2023, President Bidens line of succession only has 16 members instead of 18 because two of his Cabinet members are naturalized citizens and therefore ineligible to hold the office of U.S. President.
