Question 40: If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
Official answer
- The Vice President (of the United States)
Grandpa explains
The Vice President, kiddo. That is the job: ready to step in if the president can't go on.
Careful: these are NOT the answer
These are the common mix-ups. The app uses them as traps so you practice.
- The Speaker of the House
- The Secretary of State
- The Chief Justice
On the 2008 test this is question 30
If you filed your N-400 before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 version. Which one is mine?
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
- the Vice President
Video lesson on this topic: The President
More questions on this topic
- 41Name one power of the president.
- 42Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
- 43Who signs bills to become laws?
- 44Who vetoes bills? ★
- 45Who appoints federal judges?
- 46The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
Official sources:
- USCIS · 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) ↗ · checked October 6, 2026
The plain explanation is ours; the official answers are USCIS's, word for word.