Trump wrote a secret letter to Vance in case of his death or assassination: it is hidden in Resolute Desk.

President Donald Trump keeps a letter addressed to Vice President J.D. Vance in his Resolute Desk drawer in case of his death or assassination attempt, according to Sebastian Gorka, a senior White House official overseeing counterterrorism. Newsweek.

The contents of the letter are unknown, but its existence highlights the heightened attention being paid to the transition of power, given that Trump is approaching his 80th birthday and is actively traveling abroad.

Why is it important

Trump left for his foreign trip just weeks after several assassination plots against him were revealed.

This information has again drawn attention to the procedures for the transfer of power and ensuring continuity of governance.

Trump's age and health have become a key issue in the run-up to the election cycle.

On the subject: Assassination attempt on Trump in Washington: What is known about the shooter and who he named as 'targets' in his manifesto

How many assassination attempts has the 47th president survived?

Trump, who turns 80 next month, has survived three high-profile assassination attempts in less than two years - in Butler, Pennsylvania, West Palm Beach, Florida, and most recently in Washington.

During a shooting at a rally in Butler in July 2024, Trump was shot in the ear, and one attendee was killed. Authorities subsequently labeled the incidents in Florida and Washington as thwarted assassination attempts.

Beyond security threats, the age and physical fitness of leaders has remained a major political issue in recent years, particularly in the context of the 2024 election, pitting then-President Joe Biden (81) against Trump (78). Trump's critics, citing his age and the deaths of members of Congress in office, are calling for age limits for such high-ranking positions. His allies, on the other hand, maintain that the president is in good health.

Other US presidents also survived assassination attempts at various times, including Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Harry Truman, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Why the trip to China raised questions

Gorka's statements came as Trump was meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Podcast host Devin asked, "Do you share the concerns I and some administration officials have about Trump's trip to China? He represents an existential threat to China because he's the only thing standing between them and global dominance, so they have every incentive to eliminate him."

Gorka disagreed with this assessment: "Absolutely not. I have no fears that they will do anything like that. As far as I can tell, the president is completely safe."

Trump arrived in China on May 13 along with about a dozen American business leaders for a two-day summit.

What happens if a president dies in office?

"There's a letter in the Resolute Desk drawer addressed to the vice president in case something happens to the head of state," Gorka noted. He didn't reveal the letter's contents.

The 25th Amendment to the US Constitution defines the procedure for the transfer of power in the event of the death of the president. The vice president immediately becomes acting president—this has already happened four times.

In 1865, after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency. In 1881, after the death of James Garfield, Chester Arthur took over.

In 1901, after the assassination of William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt became president, and in 1963, after the assassination of John Kennedy, power passed to Lyndon Johnson.

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The order of succession to power in the United States

The US Constitution establishes a clear sequence of who assumes the powers of the president in the event of his death or incapacitation.

First up is Vice President J.D. Vance.

Then came House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Next up is Acting Senate President Chuck Grassley.

Next in line are cabinet members: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth, and US Attorney General Todd Blanch (acting). Next come the heads of other departments: the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Homeland Security.

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