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Glossary
Presidential Succession

Civics Glossary

Presidential Succession

Executive

Last verified: June 2026

Definition

The order in which officials assume the presidency if the president dies, resigns, or is removed.

Related Terms

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and second in the presidential line of succession.

More Executive Terms

Cabinet

The group of senior officials who lead the 15 executive departments and advise the president.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that manages operations of the federal government.

Executive Privilege

The claimed right of the president to withhold information from Congress, the courts, or the public.

Government Shutdown

Occurs when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills, forcing non-essential federal agencies to cease operations.

Lame Duck

An elected official serving out the remainder of their term after a successor has been elected.

Pardon

The president's constitutional power to forgive a person convicted of a federal crime.

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