Washington (CNN) Vice President Mike Pence was put on standby to temporarily assume the powers of the presidency during President Donald Trump's unannounced visit to Walter Reed hospital in November 2019, according to a copy of New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt's forthcoming book obtained by CNN. Trump had undergone a "quick exam and labs" as part of his annual physical out of anticipation of a "very busy 2020," the White House had said of the trip at the time. Schmidt does not specify the sourcing for this reporting beyond "I learned." The White House declined to comment on the record to CNN about the report. While Pence did not ultimately assume the powers of the presidency, according to Schmidt, the account raises fresh questions about the reason for Trump's unscheduled visit.

Source: CNN September 01, 2020 00:11 UTC