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

The Vice President becomes President if the current President can no longer serve. This succession is established by the Presidential Succession Act and further reinforced by the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Vice President is the immediate successor and is intended to ensure a smooth transition of executive power, maintaining the continuity of leadership in the government.

This protocol is critical for the stability of the executive branch, affirming that there is always a President in office to uphold the responsibilities and duties of the position. In the hierarchy of governmental leadership, the other roles mentioned, such as the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Secretary of State, do have significant responsibilities, but they are not next in line for the presidency following a vacancy. Therefore, the Vice President is the only position specifically designated to ascend to the presidency under these circumstances.