Designated Survivor for State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON — In the event of an unexpected incident during President Trump’s State of the Union address this Tuesday, the House of Representatives has a plan in place. They will designate survivors to retreat to a secure location, ensuring that Congress can continue operating.
Representative Mike Thompson from California has been designated as the survivor for the upcoming address. He shared this on social media, noting that he’ll be watching the speech from a safe distance rather than attending in person.
Thompson referenced accountability, mentioning issues like the militarization of ICE and its impact on communities, along with the loss of American lives.
Unlike the more widely recognized designated survivor chosen by the White House, Thompson isn’t in the line of presidential succession and wouldn’t assume command in a crisis.
The practice of appointing a designated survivor from Congress originates from the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Each party typically selects two senators and one representative to ensure some members are safe in case of an attempt to incapacitate the government.
This tradition seems to be relatively unknown, as many staffers on Capitol Hill were unaware of it when asked for comments.
Thompson’s invited guest for the speech, military veteran Bernie Narvaez, is still expected to attend, even as Thompson and several other Democrats choose to stay away.
While it wasn’t disclosed who else was selected as designated survivors, priority will be given to seasoned members familiar with parliamentary procedures—essential for rebuilding Congress if needed.
Thompson, who has served in the House since 1998 following his time in the California State Senate, is 75 years old.
Since the Capitol riot in January 2021, security measures have included a 12-foot iron fence around the area during major addresses.
The tradition of having a designated survivor began in the mid-1950s during the Cold War. Last year, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins was also kept away from the Capitol during a similar speech. Since 1984, the Secretary of the Interior has served as a designated survivor multiple times, followed by the Secretary of Agriculture and others.
