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Kamala Harris and Joe Biden: The US President is examined in the Walter Reed Military Hospital
Photo: CHRIS KLEPONIS / POOL / EPA
US President Joe Biden has to be hospitalized for a routine check-up.
The Democratic politician hands over the authority to his deputy Kamala Harris for the duration of a colonoscopy under general anesthesia.
The White House announced.
The operation, which the President undergoes on Friday in the Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington, is a routine examination.
After that, there should be an explanation of his state of health on Friday afternoon (local time).
Biden celebrates his 79th birthday this Saturday.
In the case of then President George W. Bush, authority over such preventive medical checkups with anesthesia was briefly transferred to the Vice President in 2002 and 2007, stressed the White House.
This is the procedure foreseen by the constitution.
Harris will be working in her office in the west wing of the White House during this time.
The US President's office, the so-called Oval Office, is also located in the West Wing.
It is routine for US presidents to be examined at the Walter Reed Hospital at least once a year. As a rule, more or less detailed information on the state of health of the president is also published afterwards.
Biden's predecessor Donald Trump also had himself examined several times in the Walter Reed military hospital.
Again and again there was speculation about the health of the Republican.
Last September, rumors of "mini-strokes" began to emerge after a hospital stay.
Trump called this "fake news".
Last October, the then US President was infected with Corona and was then treated for several days in the renowned clinic.
A routine check-up in November - a good two months before the planned appointment - then reignited rumors of Trump's alleged health problems.
asc / dpa