What is a ‘designated survivor,’ and why didn’t Trump have one at inauguration?
Since 1947, there has been a designated survivor from the presidential Cabinet that does not attend the inauguration and State of the Union ceremonies in case of a catastrophic attack.
The designated survivor would bear responsibility to lead the U.S. if the president, vice president and Speaker of the House were killed. This person is chosen directly by the president and stays in a confidential space during the event.
On Jan. 20, during President Donald Trump’s Inauguration, no designated survivor was selected, according to multiple reports.
The presidential line of succession is clearly stated in both Article II, Section 1 and the 20th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, it does not include that there has to be an assigned designated survivor. Since it is not a law, this decision is up to the president’s discretion.
It is normal for the identity of the designated survivor to be kept secret until after the event has concluded, yet no name was released for President Trump’s inauguration.
The designated survivor for Former President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration was never revealed.
Why was no designated survivor appointed for Trump’s Inauguration?
No official reason has been given for why there was no assigned designated survivor at Trump’s inauguration. However, experts believe there could be a few reasons as to why.
Since the event was held indoors, security may have been sufficient enough (attendance was very limited and all ticketed attendees were previously screened). Normally, inaugurations take place outside, but this year’s was moved into the U.S. Capitol’s rotunda due to extremely cold weather.
David Sundberg of the FBI’s Washington Field Office told Fox News earlier this week that the bureau was not tracking “any specific or credible threats” for Inauguration Day.
High-security fencing was used for the inauguration -- the most fencing used for a designated National Special Security Event in U.S. history, according to security officials quoted by Fox News.
Who is in the presidential line of succession?
If the president were to die, become incapacitated, resign or be removed from office, this is the order of who would fill their place. An asterisk next to a person’s name means they have been nominated to Trump’s Cabinet but have yet to be confirmed as of publication time.
Vice President: JD Vance
Speaker of the House: Mike Johnson
President Pro Tempore of the Senate: Charles E. Grassley
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Secretary of the Treasury: Scott Bessent*
Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth*
Attorney General: Pam Bondi*
Secretary of the Interior: Doug Burgum*
Secretary of Agriculture: Brooke Rollins*
Secretary of Commerce: Howard Lutnick*
Secretary of Labor: Lori Chavez-DeRemer*
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F Kennedy, Jr.*
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Scott Turner*
Secretary of Transportation: Sean Duffy*
Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright*
Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon*
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Doug Collins*
Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem*
Who has served as President Trump’s designated survivor?
During Trump’s first presidential address in 2017, Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin was appointed as the designated survivor.
In 2018, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was appointed as designated survivor during a State of the Union address. During 2019’s State of the Unon, it was Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. For 2020’s State of the Union, it was Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt.
Secretaries from the Agriculture and Interior departments have served as designated survivors more than any other Cabinet position.