If the president of the United States dies, who automatically becomes president?

The Vice President automatically becomes president if the sitting president dies, as stipulated by the Presidential Succession Act and reinforced by the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. This process ensures a continuity of leadership and stability within the government during such a critical transition. The Vice President is elected alongside the president and is seen as the immediate successor, embodying the executive branch's continuity.

This constitutional provision was designed to address potential crises and confirms the Vice President's role as the next in line to assume the presidency, highlighting the importance of a clear chain of succession in the executive branch. Other potential successors, such as members of the cabinet or congressional leaders, would only assume the presidency under different circumstances, such as the Vice President being unable to serve.