Comments on: On Pence’s Resignation, Trump’s Stroke, and Ryan’s Defection to Russia https://gregladen.com/blog/2018/04/01/on-pences-resignation-trumps-stroke-and-ryans-defection-to-russia/ Mon, 02 Apr 2018 18:02:17 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.8 By: Greg Laden https://gregladen.com/blog/2018/04/01/on-pences-resignation-trumps-stroke-and-ryans-defection-to-russia/#comment-578738 Mon, 02 Apr 2018 18:02:17 +0000 https://gregladen.com/blog/?p=29451#comment-578738 Yeah, the argument that it is unconstitutional is pretty strong, and in parallel, there is an argument that the current method is simply stupid or otherwise problematic.

]]> By: MikeN https://gregladen.com/blog/2018/04/01/on-pences-resignation-trumps-stroke-and-ryans-defection-to-russia/#comment-578730 Mon, 02 Apr 2018 17:04:11 +0000 https://gregladen.com/blog/?p=29451#comment-578730 In reply to MikeN.

Yes, the argument is that ‘officer’ refers to executive branch and not the Speaker. However, VP is not part of the executive branch so this arguably works against that.

]]> By: Don A in Pennsyltucky https://gregladen.com/blog/2018/04/01/on-pences-resignation-trumps-stroke-and-ryans-defection-to-russia/#comment-578694 Mon, 02 Apr 2018 12:26:49 +0000 https://gregladen.com/blog/?p=29451#comment-578694 In reply to MikeN.

Article II of the US Constitution addressed this issue:
In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

]]> By: MikeN https://gregladen.com/blog/2018/04/01/on-pences-resignation-trumps-stroke-and-ryans-defection-to-russia/#comment-578542 Sun, 01 Apr 2018 16:18:35 +0000 https://gregladen.com/blog/?p=29451#comment-578542 The law that makes the Speaker or Hatch President is arguably unconstitutional, allowing for non-executive branch members other than VP to become President.

Suppose the Secretary of State becomes President because there is no Speaker. If Congress then elects a Speaker, this person replaces the Secretary of State as President. Designated Survivor ignored this provision.

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