President Joe Biden will transfer power to Vice President Kamala Harris during the "brief" time Friday he is under anesthesia for a colonoscopy as part of a regular health check, the White House said.

Biden, the oldest person to hold the presidency in US history, went to the Walter Reed Medical Center just outside of Washington early Friday on the eve of his 79th birthday.

The White House described the appointment as Biden's "routine annual physical." It was his first since taking office in January.

US President Joe Biden waves as he arrives at Walter Reed Medical Center for his annual physical
US President Joe Biden waves as he arrives at Walter Reed Medical Center for his annual physical AFP / Olivier DOULIERY

During a colonoscopy examination, Biden will be anesthetized and as in past practice the vice president will assume power, which includes control over the US armed forces and the nuclear weapons arsenal.

"President Biden will transfer power to the vice president for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia. The vice president will work from her office in the West Wing during this time," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

Harris, 57, is the first woman to hold the vice presidency and made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic Party nomination in 2020, before being picked as Biden's running mate.

US Vice President Kamala Harris will briefly hold power while President Joe Biden is under anesthetic
US Vice President Kamala Harris will briefly hold power while President Joe Biden is under anesthetic AFP / Brendan Smialowski

Psaki noted that a similar temporary transfer of power, "following the process set out in the Constitution," had been carried out when president George W. Bush underwent the same procedure in 2002 and 2007.

Any details on Biden's health are sure to be closely watched, given speculation on whether he will stand by his stated intention to seek a second term in 2024. Biden pledged before his election a year ago to be "totally transparent" with voters about all aspects of his health.

The White House also said earlier this year that the results of Biden's eventual checkup would be made public.

In a letter released by his election campaign in December 2019, Biden's physician had described him as "a healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency."

Biden does not smoke or drink, and prior to his election worked out at least five days per week, according to the letter.

He was vaccinated early on against Covid-19, and received a booster shot in September.

Coronavirus