VP Harris Made Brief History As 1st Woman With Presidential Power

WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden is back in charge of the country after presidential power was briefly transferred to Vice President Kamala Harris as he underwent a "routine colonoscopy" Friday that required anesthesia, the White House said.

Harris' brief time as the chief executive followed her ascension to the vice presidency last fall — the highest climb in U.S. leadership for any woman, any Black woman or any Asian American. Her election was widely hailed a powerful elevation of a woman of color that would change the perception of leadership in a country still struggling with issues of racial justice.

The announcement of Harris' brief time as the commander in chief came after Biden, 78, was driven to an early morning appointment to Walter Reed National Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, for his first physical examination as president. He was under anesthesia during the procedure, press secretary Jen Psaki said.

Biden is the oldest serving U.S. president, and interest in his health has been high. After his last full exam in December 2019, Biden's doctors said he was "healthy" and "vigorous," and "fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency."

"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," she said. "The Vice President will work from her office in the West Wing during this time."

The transfer of power was authorized by the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. Biden signed a letter to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives saying he was unable to discharge his duties while under anesthesia, making Harris the acting president. Once the procedure was over, Biden sent another letter saying he is ready to resume his duties.

The White House said that as is customary for presidents and presidential candidates, Biden will authorize the release of report from his physical and colonoscopy.

Former President Donald Trump, now 75, was criticized for releasing only cursory details about his health, both as a candidate and while serving in the White House. He concealed the seriousness of his COVID-19 illness a month before the 2020 presidential election.

Biden has had health problems in the past. In 2003, he had episodes of atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that is potentially serous, his personal physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, wrote in a report of Biden's physical in 2019. O'Conner, Biden's doctor since 2009, said Biden was in overall good shape and his heart was functioning normally and his only needed care was a blood thinner to prevent blood clots or a stroke.

Biden had a brush with death in 1988 when he underwent surgery to repair two brain aneurysms, weak bulges in arteries, one of them leaking. He has not had a recurrence since, according to his doctor, who cited a 2014 test that examined his arteries.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.