Can a US President Replace Their Vice President?

The term 'vice president' or 'VP' in the United States is not just about a position that is automatically inherited upon a president's re-election or the death or resignation of a VP. There are indeed scenarios where a president can replace their vice president, but these conditions are strictly regulated by the U.S. Constitution and the political landscape.

Conditions for Vice President Replacement

Replacements for the vice presidency can be made in specific situations, such as during a re-election campaign or when the current vice president resigns, but this does not mean a president can simply 'fire' their VP.

Nixon’s Tenure

A notable example of a VP replacement comes from the Nixon administration. In 1973, Nixon's original VP, Spiro Agnew, resigned amid bribery charges that he had received while he was governor of Maryland. Nixon then appointed Gerald Ford to replace Agnew, and this appointment was approved by the Congress. This case set a precedent for future potential replacements.

Presidential Succession and Re-election

Presidents may also choose to replace their vice presidents for strategic reasons, such as during their re-election campaign. Some presidents have rotated their VPs, including Franklin D. Roosevelt. For instance, Roosevelt appointed different VPs during his presidency – Charles G. Dawes in 1933-1937, John Nance Garner in 1937-1941, Henry A. Wallace in 1941-1945, and finally Harry S. Truman in 1945-1945. This strategy was used to ensure party unity and bolster the ticket's appeal for re-election.

Post-First-Term Considerations

While a vice president selected during a first term is replaced during the re-election campaign, it is possible to change the vice president during the mid-term. For example, after Nixon's re-election in 1972, he selected Ford as his VP even though Ford had not been initially on the ticket. VPs can also resign, leading to potential replacements before the end of the term, but the final approval is given by Congress.

End of Term and Mid-Campaign

At the time of the election, including the Electoral College (EC) meeting, a vice president may still change. Kamala Harris, for example, may remain vice president until the end of January unless she is impeached or dies. In the event of the president's death or successful impeachment, however, a vice president can assume the presidency. Democrats are not obligated to re-endorse her in this case. The president could choose a new running mate for the next election.

Constitutional Provisions and Political Maneuvering

There is debate around whether a president can replace their vice president mid-term. The Constitution does not strictly prohibit it, but existing political norms and procedures often limit such changes. The president, Joe Biden, cannot fire Kamala Harris from her current role, but he can decide to choose a different running mate for the next election. On the flip side, a Republican president like Donald Trump might have pursued a different VP if they were dissatisfied with the current one, highlighting the potential for political maneuvering.

Conclusion

In summary, while the U.S. Constitution provides for certain conditions under which a vice president can be replaced, the ability to actually make such a change is complex and highly dependent on political considerations and the actions of Congress. Whether a president can unilaterally replace their vice president is a nuanced issue, but examples from the past illustrate how presidents have been able to make strategic changes to their teams for the greater good of their re-election or party.