Kamala Harris: Current Status and Future Prospects

As of January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris officially assumed the duties as Vice President of the United States, taking the oath of office. However, her path to becoming President of the United States, commonly referred to as POTUS (President of the United States), is not straightforward. This article delves into the potential scenarios where Kamala Harris might assume the duties of POTUS.

Current Situation

Kamala Harris currently holds the position of Vice President under the current administration. While her role is significant, the path to the presidency involves several complex steps. In order for Kamala Harris to become the President, she would first need to secure the nomination as the Democratic candidate during the party's convention and subsequently win the general election.

Potential Scenarios

While securing the nomination and winning the election are the most straightforward paths to the presidency, other scenarios could also lead to Kamala Harris assuming the duties of POTUS. These scenarios include:

President Biden's death, resignation, or removal from office due to incapacity. Triggering of the 25th Amendment following a presidential incapacitation, such as a health emergency. Impeachment and removal of President Biden due to serious misconduct.

The 25th Amendment and Vice President Harris

According to the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, if the president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the vice president becomes the acting president. This could occur if President Biden were to become incapacitated. Should this happen, Vice President Harris would begin performing the duties of the presidency, which would include moving into the White House shortly thereafter – likely around January 21, 2025, assuming the current election timeline holds.

Impeachment and Removal

Another route by which Kamala Harris might assume the presidency is if President Biden is impeached and removed from office. The process is not straightforward and would involve a formal impeachment trial in the Senate, followed by a vote to remove Biden from office. Once this trial process is complete, Vice President Harris would succeed to the presidency.

Forced Election Scenarios

Lastly, forced changes in the administration due to political or legal issues might also occur. If President Biden were removed from office via felonious actions, such as significant corruption or mishandling classified documents, the current vice president would then assume the role of President.

Conclusion

While Kamala Harris has a clear path to becoming Vice President, her journey to the presidency is not without challenges. Whether through the regular election process, constitutional amendments, or forced political changes, Kamala Harris's potential as a future President—a title often referred to as POTUS—remains a subject of speculation and debate.