Trump and his wife test positive for coronavirus 13:12
(CNN) -
Experts warned against panicking Thursday night and said US President Donald Trump is likely to recover from the coronavirus.
Others, however, noted that the diagnosis could pose a serious risk to the national security of the United States.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump test positive for covid-19
Trump, the vice president and national security
(BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
'We have seen that this is a deadly virus.
One of the president's closest friends has died from this virus ... And again, we have seen more than 200,000 Americans die from this virus, "said Miles Taylor, former chief of staff for Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. .
"The president of the United States has it, we should be concerned," he added.
“The biggest national security concern is that, in the worst case scenario, we could be put in a position where the president could be marginalized by this disease.
God forbid I do something to him or the first lady.
But if it did, then it faces a constitutional dilemma, "Taylor said.
Vice President Mike Pence is likely now preparing for the possibility that he will have to take over if Trump is sidelined, Taylor added.
“That has huge ramifications for our entire federal government.
And I think that's the biggest concern, "he said.
In the elections
There is also a "secondary concern" that this could weaken the US in the face of foreign meddling or attacks, Taylor said.
“Our adversaries who have been actively trying to sow discord in our democracy could take advantage of this.
"For election purposes, to spread misinformation and concern and concern, and also to undermine the confidence of the American people in this election cycle because we are so close to voting," he said.
National security