What is the order of presidential succession?

The order of presidential succession is established by the Presidential Succession Act and specifies the hierarchy of individuals who would assume the presidency in the event that the president is unable to perform their duties. The correct sequence is: the Vice President, followed by the Speaker of the House, then the President pro tempore of the Senate, and finally, the Cabinet members in the order of the establishment of their departments.

The reasoning for this structure begins with the Vice President occupying the first position as they are directly elected alongside the President and are next in line to take over the executive responsibilities. Following the Vice President, the Speaker of the House is next due to their leadership role in the legislative branch, which reflects the representative nature of the government. The President pro tempore of the Senate holds the third spot, maintaining the continuity of governance and reflecting the Senate's role in lawmaking. Finally, the Cabinet members are listed in the order their offices were created, ensuring a systematic and organized approach to succession.

The other options do not follow this established order, either omitting key players like the Vice President or rearranging the sequence in a way that does not align with statutory law and historical precedence. Therefore, the correct choice outlines the designated and legally mandated order of succession accurately.