So, if both Pence and Trump succombed to COVID-19, Pelosi would become President

[degage]

This thought just occurred to me. I'm not saying I hope that happens. It isn't proper to wish illness and death on anybody.

[leftieNanner]

1. Yep!

Be still my heart.

You are correct that we don't wish illness and death on anyone, however....

If there is anything remotely close to poetic justice, let it be.

[rickford66]

2. Only if they expired at the same time.

[SCantiGOP]

4. But the President

whether he took the position when his VP died, or if the VP died, gets to nominate a new VP.
But here's the great constitutional safeguard. Unlike other POTUS appointments, the new VP has to be approved by both the Senate and the House.
So the House could produce a list of acceptable candidates, making it clear that they would refuse to approve any other and just let Pelosi stand there in the on-deck box if the Pres didn't cooperate.

[rickford66]

5. I addressed the situation where Pelosi could automatically become president as the post implied.

As you show, it's not automatic. What you show is a situation where one or the other dies, but what happens if both die at the same time ? Will we be without an executive until the House and Senate vote on one ? That would be a terrible situation.

[SCantiGOP]

6. No, constitution very clear

If they both died together, Pelosi would become President as soon as she could find a judge to administer the oath.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Someone once said, "I have never wished another man dead,

but I have read many obituaries with pleasure."

[Sunriser13]

8. Almost, VO

It was said by Clarence Darrow, the Scopes Trial lawyer. The quote appears in Darrow's 1932 work The Story of My Life:

"All men have an emotion to kill; when they strongly dislike some one they involuntarily wish he was dead. I have never killed any one, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction."

The quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, but this is the correct one.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Darrow was a better person than I am.

There are certain obituaries I will read with hysterical joy and celebration.

[Sunriser13]

10. I know what you mean, darlin'...

They'll be coming to take me away, hoo, hoo...

[Yonnie3]

7. If that happened I might again believe in miracles/divine guidance. n/t

[customerserviceguy]

11. Whatever situation

came about that gave Pence and Trump the virus, it would surely threaten the health of just about everybody at the top of our three branches of government. It would be like that show, "Designated Survivor".