President Joe Biden will transfer power to Vice President Kamala Harris temporarily while he gets a routine colonoscopy.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday, “This morning, the President will travel to Walter Reed Medical Center for a routine physical. While he is there, the President will undergo a routine colonoscopy,” per a White House pool report.
“As was the case when President George W. Bush had the same procedure in 2002 and 2007, and following the process set out in the Constitution, President Biden will transfer power to the Vice President for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia. The Vice President will work from her office in the West Wing during this time,” she added.
Psaki also noted that the White House “will publicly release a written summary of the President’s physical” later on Friday afternoon.
Biden will turn 79 years old on Saturday. In January, he became the oldest person sworn in a president in U.S. history.
UPDATE [11/19/21, 12:33 p.m. EST]:
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki shared that Biden and Harris spoke at “approximately” 11:35 a.m. EST. Biden “was in good spirits and at that time resumed his duties. He will remain at Walter Reed as he completes the rest of his routine physical,” she tweeted.
