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The president has COVID-19. Now what?

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), it was announced shortly after midnight on Friday, October 2, 2020.   They are seen leaving the White House to attend the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.     Photo by Ken Cedeno/Pool/Sipa USANo Use UK. No Use Germany.

What does President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis mean for the functioning of the presidency, the White House, and the 2020 election? John Hudak describes how the executive branch can continue to operate with the president in quarantine, how continuity of government is ensured if the president becomes incapacitated, and how Trump can–and should–campaign over the next few weeks.

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Thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Fred Dews, Marie Wilken, and Camilo Ramirez for their support.

The Current is part of the Brookings Podcast Network.

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