If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

When both the President and the Vice President are unable to serve, the next in line for the presidency is the Speaker of the House. This succession is outlined in the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, which establishes a clear order for who takes over the presidency. The Speaker is an elected member of Congress, representing the House of Representatives, and was chosen specifically for leadership roles, which adds a layer of democratic legitimacy to the process.

The other roles mentioned—Secretary of State, Chief Justice, and Majority Leader of the Senate—do not carry the same constitutionally designated authority in the line of presidential succession. The Secretary of State is a key member of the President's cabinet, responsible for foreign affairs, but does not assume the presidency in this scenario. Similarly, the Chief Justice leads the Supreme Court and is involved in judicial matters rather than executive succession. The Majority Leader of the Senate, while a powerful figure in the legislative branch, also does not have a defined role in the succession process. Therefore, the Speaker of the House becomes the next in line, ensuring continuity in the executive branch of the government.