Thread by @SusanSolomon

THREAD: Some fun facts for you this morning. Go with me on them:

In the wake of last night’s bombshell about Trump being investigated as a possible Russian asset, and knowing that he and — to a lesser degree — Pence, are both facing other legal trouble, I was musing about...1/

possible scenarios. This one seems plausible, but it would require Pence to be implicated and to agree to enter into a plea deal—a big hurdle at this point but certainly in the realm of possibility. Curious to hear your thoughts. 2/

▪️KEY FACT: Under the 25th Amendment, if Pence were to resign or be elevated to the presidency, his replacement must be approved by BOTH the House and the Senate. 3/

“Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.” 4/

▪️The DOJ working w/ the FBI could offer both Trump and Pence plea deals: Immunity from prosecution for their resignations. There is historical precedent for this approach. E.g. Spiro Agnew. 5/

▪️If Trump and Pence resign, Trump could not first effectively designate his replacement by installing another GOP VP w/o House approval and the Democrat-led House could—and likely would—not approve any such nominee. 6/

▪️Per the rules of succession, then, Nancy Pelosi would become President until 2020. /7

▪️Note that it is possible and there is historical precedent for a president to go w/o a VP for extended periods of time, so if Pence somehow remains unscathed and ascends to the presidency if/when Trump is forced out, the House could choose...8/

...not to confirm Pence’s nominee for VP, thereby effectively making Nancy Pelosi the permanent no. 2 until 2020.

Thoughts? @tribelaw /end