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President Trump’s upcoming speech before Congress will bring together members from both chambers and the complete presidential succession line, with one notable absence. Each year, a Cabinet member is appointed the “designated survivor,” remaining away from the speech to ensure a leader is available should a disaster occur.
The identity of the designated survivor is typically kept under wraps until shortly before or even during the address.
Understanding the Designated Survivor
The term “designated survivor” refers to the Cabinet member who forgoes attending the joint session of Congress. This practice ensures that there remains a successor available in case a tragic event strikes.
The framework for presidential succession originates from Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, while the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 established the contemporary line of succession. The Vice President, JD Vance, holds the primary succession role, followed by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate pro tempore Chuck Grassley. The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, follows, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in fifth place. The succession order continues through other Cabinet members, with Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, positioned 18th.
Given that all these officials usually attend the address, a designated survivor is appointed to remain absent.
The Reason Behind the Designated Survivor
The tradition of selecting a designated survivor, while not enshrined in the Constitution, is believed to have originated during the Cold War era in the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until 1981 that the practice became official with then-Education Secretary Terrel Bell being the first designated survivor.
Selecting the Designated Survivor
The criteria for selecting the designated survivor remain unclear, as the process is typically kept classified. The chosen individual must be capable of assuming the presidency, which requires them to be a native-born citizen and at least 35 years of age. Over time, some Cabinet members have been excluded from eligibility due to not meeting these criteria, such as former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger.
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, chosen as the designated survivor by President Bill Clinton in 1996, shared her experience with ABC News in 2014. She recounted being briefed on her responsibilities while being shown the Situation Room, emphasizing the gravity of being a designated survivor.
Activities During the Speech
There have been a few designated survivors who openly discussed their experiences during the presidential address. In 2000, then-Energy Secretary Bill Richardson revealed that he watched the speech from a friend’s house in Maryland, highlighting the unique combination of excitement and security that came with the role.
Dan Glickman, a former Secretary of Agriculture, penned an essay in 2017 detailing his own designated survivor experience. He was taken to a secure location where he was accompanied by military personnel, including an officer with the nuclear football — a critical tool for presidential nuclear command.
Glickman noted that while he didn’t receive detailed instructions on what to do in a crisis, he was aware that the military officer could facilitate a military response if necessary. Shalala also reported that she remained at the White House during the address, keeping things light by ordering pizza for her staff and maintaining a connection with the president.
Notable Past Designated Survivors
Typically, the designated survivor is a Cabinet member, although the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury have never assumed this role. Notably, there was no designated survivor in 2021 due to the reduced attendance at the joint session caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent designated survivors hold various significant positions and continue to shape this intriguing aspect of presidential tradition.
Source
www.cbsnews.com