Veterans Affairs Secretary Acts as Designated Survivor

Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, took on the role of designated survivor during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. This is a security protocol, meant to ensure the continuity of government should a disaster occur.

Collins has held this position since last year and did not participate in the joint session of Congress. Instead, he was taken to a secure, undisclosed location. The identity of the designated survivor typically gets revealed on the day of the address, once they have been safely relocated.

This role falls under the federal government’s Continuity of Government Plan. It’s designed to ensure that essential operations and constitutional governance continue even if a catastrophe incapacitates those present at the Capitol.

During such events, the president, vice president, Congress members, the Supreme Court, and various Cabinet officials gather in one place, raising unique security issues.

If anything were to happen, the designated survivor, provided they meet constitutional requirements, could potentially step in as president. This system has its roots in Cold War practices, established to protect American leadership against nuclear threats.

While designated survivors have never had to assume the presidency, their existence serves as a vital reminder of the security measures in place during significant national events.