Joe Biden has announced he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race – but will continue in post for the rest of his term.
After succumbing to pressure from within his own party to abandon his re-election bid, he now faces a chorus from Republicans who argue that he should resign from the job of president right away.
Meanwhile, the Democrats are discussing who should replace Mr Biden on the ticket, and how they should be chosen.
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Republican House speaker Mike Johnson and senior Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik are among those calling for Mr Biden to go immediately.
“If Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as president of the United States,” Ms Stefanik said. “He must immediately resign.”
Some in Republican circles have floated the idea of using the 25th Amendment to force Mr Biden out of office, though it appears unlikely that this will be effective.
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What is the 25th Amendment?
Whenever a president is, for any reason, unable to carry out their duties, the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution can be invoked.
The amendment states that a president who knows they are or will be unable to perform the duties of office can notify Congress.
This is usually if a president is to undergo a surgical operation where they will be unconscious.
The vice president then becomes the acting president until the president sends another notice to declare he is once again able to do the job.
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Can it be used to remove a president by force?
Yes, but it has never been done.
The fourth section of the amendment lays out what happens if the president becomes unable to discharge his duties but does not transfer power.
It states that the vice president and the majority of the cabinet would have to declare the president unfit to lead.
They would then send a letter to the House speaker and president pro tempore – the second-highest ranking official in the Senate – saying so. The vice president then becomes acting president.
What about impeachment?
As readers will remember from the last time Donald Trump was president, there is also the option of impeachment to remove a sitting commander in chief.
However despite efforts to do so, the Republicans failed in their long-shot attempt to seek impeachment of Mr Biden and it remains to be seen if they will resurrect such a drive.
