C. Assumption of Office and Receipt of Commission

The President-elect becomes the President at 12:01 p.m. in the Nation’s Capital on January 20th in the year following the Presidential election. If the President-elect dies before taking office, the same succession rules apply as if they had died while serving as President.

Before any Person assumes the office of President or Vice President, they must swear or affirm:

“I (full legal name) solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States (or Vice President), and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect, and defend the National Charter of the United States and remain true to its central tenet that the People are the Sovereign Power. I understand and affirm that I hold this office and exercise the powers, duties, and privileges it requires and grants only because the People have delegated those things to me.”

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court must publicly administer this oath or affirmation.