While President Donald Trump is battling COVID-19 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien is suggesting a transfer of power is not a possibility at the moment.
“That’s not something that’s on the table at this point,” O’Brien said during his appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Host Margaret Brennan pressed O’Brien on whether it may be a possibility.
“He’s doing very well and just like it could happen to anybody, but we’re prepared. We have a great vice president. We have a government that is steady at the tiller,” O’Brien said.
He added, “And we’ll be briefing the president this afternoon. General Milley, Secretary Pompeo myself, we’ll be giving him a national security brief this afternoon from the White House here. He’ll be at Walter Reed.”
Watch his comments below:
TRANSFER OF POWER? “That’s not something that’s on the table at this point,” National Security Adviser @robertcobrien tells @margbrennan.
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 4, 2020
Adds, @robertcobrien and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Mark Milley, will deliver @realDonaldTrump a national security briefing today pic.twitter.com/i9PgBP6dpj
Brennan noted former presidents Reagan and Bush temporarily signed over power while undergoing treatment.
“Well, yes… I know they were colonoscopies and so they were under anesthesia and weren’t available at that time. I think we’re in a different situation here,” O’Brien said.
He continued, “And so far, the president’s in great shape. He’s firmly in command of the government of the country.”
The president’s physician Sean Conley provided an update on how Trump is doing on Sunday, as IJR previously reported.
“Since we spoke last, the president has continued to improve. As with any illness, there are frequent ups and downs over the course, particularly when a patient is being so closely watched 24 hours a day,” Conley said.
Pence tested negative just hours after Trump announced he tested positive for the coronavirus, as IJR previously reported.
Pence’s doctor Jesse Schonau said Pence does not need to quarantine.
“Vice President Pence remains in good health and is free to go about his normal activities,” he said.