US Vice-President Kamala Harris became the first woman to – briefly – be given presidential powers while Joe Biden underwent a regular health check.
President Biden transferred power to Ms Harris for about 85 minutes, while he was placed under anaesthesia for a routine colonoscopy on Friday morning.
The medical examination was Mr Biden’s first as president and came on the eve of his 79th birthday.
Ms Harris temporarily took control of the US military and nuclear weapons. (BBC)