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Designated survivor
An individual in the presidential line of succession

In the United States, a designated survivor is a person in the presidential line of succession kept at a secure, undisclosed location during events like the State of the Union or presidential inaugurations to ensure continuity of government in catastrophic situations. Established during the Cold War to prevent a decapitation of government, the designated survivor, usually a Cabinet member chosen by the president, must be eligible to serve as president. In dire events, that person could become acting president of the United States. Additionally, Congress appoints designated survivors to ensure legislative continuity during mass-casualty incidents.

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Selection

In a 2016 interview, Jon Favreau, a speechwriter for President Barack Obama, said that the procedure for picking a designated survivor for a State of the Union address was "entirely random", but later clarified that the content of the speech played a role in who was permitted to be absent. Favreau said that for a State of the Union address in which Obama's education policy was a major focus, for example, the secretary of education, Arne Duncan, was not chosen as the designated survivor, because it was thought that he should attend and represent his department.3

List of designated survivors

DateOccasionDesigneePositionNotes
January 25, 1984State of the UnionSamuel PierceSecretary of Housing and Urban Development4567
January 21, 1985Presidential InaugurationMargaret HecklerSecretary of Health and Human Services8
February 6, 1985State of the UnionMalcolm BaldrigeSecretary of Commerce9101112
February 4, 1986State of the UnionJohn BlockSecretary of Agriculture13141516
January 27, 1987State of the UnionRichard LyngSecretary of Agriculture17181920
January 25, 1988State of the UnionDonald HodelSecretary of the Interior21222324
February 9, 1989Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress25Lauro CavazosSecretary of Education26
January 31, 1990State of the UnionEdward J. DerwinskiSecretary of Veterans Affairs27282930
January 29, 1991State of the UnionManuel LujanSecretary of the Interior31323334
January 28, 1992State of the UnionEd MadiganSecretary of Agriculture353637
February 17, 1993Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress38Bruce BabbittSecretary of the Interior394041
January 25, 1994State of the UnionMike EspySecretary of Agriculture424344
January 24, 1995State of the UnionFederico PeñaSecretary of Transportation454647
January 23, 1996State of the UnionDonna ShalalaSecretary of Health and Human Services48495051
February 4, 1997State of the UnionDan GlickmanSecretary of Agriculture52535455
January 27, 1998State of the UnionWilliam DaleySecretary of Commerce565758
January 19, 1999State of the UnionAndrew CuomoSecretary of Housing and Urban Development59606162
January 27, 2000State of the UnionBill RichardsonSecretary of Energy63646566
February 27, 2001Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress67Anthony PrincipiSecretary of Veterans Affairs686970
September 11–14, 2001Following the September 11 attacksDonald EvansSecretary of Commerce717273
September 20, 2001Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress (following the September 11 attacks)Dick CheneyVice President7475
Tommy ThompsonSecretary of Health and Human Services
January 29, 2002State of the UnionGale NortonSecretary of the Interior767778
January 28, 2003State of the UnionJohn AshcroftAttorney General79808182
Norman MinetaSecretary of Transportation
January 20, 2004State of the UnionDonald EvansSecretary of Commerce83848586
January 20, 2005Presidential InaugurationGale NortonSecretary of the Interior8788
February 2, 2005State of the UnionTed StevensPresident pro tempore of the Senate8990919293
Donald EvansSecretary of Commerce
January 31, 2006State of the UnionTed StevensPresident pro tempore of the Senate9495969798
Jim NicholsonSecretary of Veterans Affairs
January 23, 2007State of the UnionAlberto GonzalesAttorney General99100101102
January 28, 2008State of the UnionDirk KempthorneSecretary of the Interior103104105106
January 20, 2009Presidential InaugurationRobert GatesSecretary of Defense107108
February 24, 2009Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress109Eric HolderAttorney General110111112113
September 9, 2009Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress (Health Care Speech to Congress)Steven ChuSecretary of Energy114
January 27, 2010State of the UnionHillary Clinton115Secretary of State116117118119
Shaun DonovanSecretary of Housing and Urban Development
January 25, 2011State of the UnionKen SalazarSecretary of the Interior120121122
January 24, 2012State of the UnionTom VilsackSecretary of Agriculture123124125
January 21, 2013Presidential InaugurationEric ShinsekiSecretary of Veterans Affairs126
February 12, 2013State of the UnionSteven ChuSecretary of Energy127
January 28, 2014State of the UnionErnest MonizSecretary of Energy128129
January 20, 2015State of the UnionAnthony FoxxSecretary of Transportation130131
January 12, 2016State of the UnionOrrin HatchPresident pro tempore of the Senate132133
Jeh JohnsonSecretary of Homeland Security134
January 20, 2017Presidential InaugurationOrrin HatchPresident pro tempore of the Senate135136
Jeh JohnsonSecretary of Homeland Security137
February 28, 2017Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress138David ShulkinSecretary of Veterans Affairs139140
January 30, 2018State of the UnionSonny PerdueSecretary of Agriculture141
February 5, 2019State of the UnionRick PerrySecretary of Energy142
February 4, 2020State of the UnionDavid BernhardtSecretary of the Interior143144
January 20, 2021Presidential InaugurationUndisclosed145146
April 28, 2021Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress147None148149
March 1, 2022State of the UnionGina RaimondoSecretary of Commerce150
February 7, 2023State of the UnionMarty WalshSecretary of Labor151
March 7, 2024State of the UnionMiguel CardonaSecretary of Education152
January 20, 2025Presidential InaugurationNone153
March 4, 2025Presidential Address to Joint Session of Congress154Doug CollinsSecretary of Veterans Affairs155

See also

Notes

References

  1. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  2. Siegel, Benjamin (January 13, 2016). "Meet Congress' State of the Union Designated Survivors". ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/meet-congress-state-union-designated-survivors/story?id=36177467 ↩

  3. Millstein, Seth (February 6, 2019). "How Is The Designated Survivor Chosen? Rick Perry Won't Be At The 2019 SOTU". Bustle. CBS News reports that the president and their staff are responsible for selecting the designated survivor, and Jon Favreau, Barack Obama's former lead speechwriter, spoke to The Ringer about the designated survivor selection process in 2016. Favreau initially said that the process is "entirely random," but then backtracked a bit and said that sometimes, the designated survivor depends on what the president intends to say in their speech. https://www.bustle.com/p/how-is-the-designated-survivor-chosen-rick-perry-wont-be-at-the-2019-sotu-15913072 ↩

  4. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  5. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  6. 1984: UPI, "Washington Dateline." January 25, 1984 ↩

  7. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  8. "Gainesville Sun - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.[permanent dead link] https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zKMRAAAAIBAJ&pg=3600,1975112 ↩

  9. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  10. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  11. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  12. 1985: UPI, "Washington News." February 6, 1985 ↩

  13. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  14. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  15. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  16. 1986: UPI, "Washington News." February 4, 1986 ↩

  17. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  18. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  19. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  20. 1987: UPI, "Washington News." January 28, 1987 ↩

  21. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  22. Hershey, Robert D. Jr. (January 27, 1988). "State of Union: Bewitched by Pageant". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2013. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/27/us/washington-talk-presidential-message-state-of-union-bewitched-by-pageant.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm ↩

  23. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  24. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  25. 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2025 speeches were given by incoming presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses. ↩

  26. Cillizza, Chris. "The story of a real-life 'Designated Survivor'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 20, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/21/the-story-of-a-real-life-designated-survivor/ ↩

  27. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  28. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  29. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  30. 1990: Washington Post, Page C3. January 31, 1991 ↩

  31. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  32. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  33. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  34. 1991: Washington Post, Page C3. January 31, 1991 ↩

  35. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  36. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  37. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  38. 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2025 speeches were given by incoming presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses. ↩

  39. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  40. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  41. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  42. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  43. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  44. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  45. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  46. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  47. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  48. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  49. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  50. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  51. 1996: USA Today, Page A12. February 5, 1997 ↩

  52. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  53. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  54. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  55. 1997: Washington Post, "Agriculture's Glickman Draws Doomsday Duty for Address." Page A13. February 4, 1997 ↩

  56. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  57. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  58. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  59. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  60. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  61. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  62. Goodnough, Abby; Waldman, Amy; Barron, James (January 21, 1999). "Not Being Invited Was the Honor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/21/nyregion/public-lives.html ↩

  63. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  64. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  65. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  66. 2000: The Washington Post, "The Reliable Source." Page C3. January 28, 2000 /wiki/The_Washington_Post ↩

  67. 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2025 speeches were given by incoming presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses. ↩

  68. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  69. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  70. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  71. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  72. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  73. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  74. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  75. 2001: The New York Times, "Cabinet's 'Designated Absentee' Stays Away." Page A23. January 30, 2002 /wiki/The_New_York_Times ↩

  76. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  77. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  78. "THE STATE OF THE UNION; Cabinet's 'Designated Absentee' Stays Away". The New York Times. January 30, 2002. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/30/us/the-state-of-the-union-cabinet-s-designated-absentee-stays-away.html ↩

  79. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  80. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  81. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  82. "STATE OF THE UNION; Ashcroft in Secret Spot During Bush Address". The New York Times. January 29, 2003. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/29/us/state-of-the-union-ashcroft-in-secret-spot-during-bush-address.html ↩

  83. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  84. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  85. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  86. 2004: AP, "Four to Miss Speech Due to Security." January 20, 2004 ↩

  87. "Designated survivor prepares for Inauguration Day". KMGH. January 19, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2020. https://www.thedenverchannel.com/thenow/designated-survivor-prepares-for-inauguration-day ↩

  88. Sacks, Mike (January 19, 2017). "Designated survivor prepares for Inauguration Day". WGBA. Retrieved February 5, 2020. https://www.nbc26.com/news/national/designated-survivor-prepares-for-inauguration-day ↩

  89. For the 2005, 2006, 2016 State of the Union addresses and 2017 Presidential Inauguration, the President pro tempore of the Senate would have been the highest-ranking survivor. ↩

  90. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  91. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  92. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  93. "Five Officials Skip State of the Union Address". The New York Times. February 2, 2005. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/politics/five-officials-skip-state-of-the-union-address.html ↩

  94. For the 2005, 2006, 2016 State of the Union addresses and 2017 Presidential Inauguration, the President pro tempore of the Senate would have been the highest-ranking survivor. ↩

  95. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  96. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  97. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  98. 2006: The Philadelphia Inquirer, "A Message of Energy, Strength." February 1, 2006. ↩

  99. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  100. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  101. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  102. 2007: The Washington Post, "The Reliable Source." Page C3. January 25, 2007. /wiki/The_Washington_Post ↩

  103. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

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  105. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  106. "Interior secretary skips speech as safeguard". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2008/01/29/interior-secretary-skips-speech-as/24127456007/ ↩

  107. "US Defence Secretary Gates to sit out Obama inauguration". The Sydney Morning Herald. January 20, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.smh.com.au/world/us-defence-secretary-gates-to-sit-out-obama-inauguration-20090120-7lkt.html ↩

  108. Montopoli, Brian (January 19, 2009). "Gates To Be Designated Successor On Inauguration Day". CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gates-to-be-designated-successor-on-inauguration-day/ ↩

  109. 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2025 speeches were given by incoming presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses. ↩

  110. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  111. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  112. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  113. O'Keefe, Ed (February 24, 2009). "Holder Staying Away From Obama's Speech". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20120902091637/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2009/02/cabinet.html ↩

  114. "Energy secretary skips Obama health care address". San Diego Union-Tribune. September 10, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-us-health-care-chu-090909-2009sep09-story.html ↩

  115. While Shaun Donovan was the designated survivor, Hillary Clinton was overseas and was the de facto designated survivor as the most senior person in the line of succession not present. /wiki/Shaun_Donovan ↩

  116. "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou_cabinet.php ↩

  117. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  118. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  119. 2006: CNN, "Secretary Clinton misses State of the Union speech." January 27, 2010. /wiki/CNN ↩

  120. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  121. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  122. O'Keefe, Ed (January 25, 2011). "State of the Union: Ken Salazar to serve as 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121010005156/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2011/01/state_of_the_union_ken_salazar.html ↩

  123. "Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union Address (since 1984)" (PDF). United States Senate Historical Office. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf ↩

  124. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  125. "State of the Union: Tom Vilsack to serve as Cabinet's 'designated survivor". The Washington Post. Associated Press. January 24, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2012. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/state-of-the-union-tom-vilsack-to-serve-as-cabinets-designated-survivor/2012/01/24/gIQA8WnhOQ_blog.html ↩

  126. "Shinseki absent from inaugural ceremonies". The San Diego Union-Tribune. January 21, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2022. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-shinseki-absent-from-inaugural-ceremonies-2013jan21-story.html ↩

  127. Weiner, Rachel (February 12, 2013). "Steven Chu is the State of the Union 'designated survivor'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/12/steven-chu-is-designated-survivor-for-state-of-the-union/ ↩

  128. "Energy Secretary to be Designated Survivor during State of the Union". Fox News. January 28, 2014. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ernest-moniz-energy-secretary-to-be-designated-survivor-during-state-of-the-union ↩

  129. Miller, Zeke J (January 28, 2014). "This Man Will Be Your President If The Worst Happens Happens". Time. Archived from the original on January 30, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140130223658/http://swampland.time.com/2014/01/28/state-of-the-union-designated-survivor-ernest-moniz/ ↩

  130. Jackson, David (January 20, 2015). "Obama's 'designated survivor:' Anthony Foxx". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150121195729/https://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2015/01/20/obama-designated-survivor-state-of-the-union-ernest-moniz-sally-jewell/22051655/ ↩

  131. Jackson, David (January 20, 2015). "If the Worst Happens at the State of the Union, Anthony Foxx Will Lead the Country". NationalJournal. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150121035156/http://www.nationaljournal.com/white-house/if-the-worst-happens-at-the-state-of-the-union-anthony-foxx-will-lead-the-country-20150120 ↩

  132. For the 2005, 2006, 2016 State of the Union addresses and 2017 Presidential Inauguration, the President pro tempore of the Senate would have been the highest-ranking survivor. ↩

  133. Shalby, Colleen (January 12, 2016). "If #SOTU disaster strikes, Jeh Johnson ... or a Republican would become president". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 12, 2016. http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-prez-designated-survivor-state-of-the-union-20160112-htmlstory.html ↩

  134. Saenz, Arlette (January 12, 2016). "State of the Union: Jeh Johnson Named Designated Survivor". ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/state-union-jeh-johnson-named-designated-survivor/story?id=36235856 ↩

  135. For the 2005, 2006, 2016 State of the Union addresses and 2017 Presidential Inauguration, the President pro tempore of the Senate would have been the highest-ranking survivor. ↩

  136. "Sen. Orrin Hatch acting as a designated survivor during inauguration". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017. https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4843730&itype=CMSID ↩

  137. Weaver, Dustin (January 20, 2017). "Jeh Johnson is designated survivor for inauguration". The Hill. Retrieved January 20, 2017. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/315274-jeh-johnson-is-designated-survivor-for-inauguration/ ↩

  138. 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2025 speeches were given by incoming presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses. ↩

  139. DeBonis, Mike; Johnson, Jenna (January 24, 2017). "Trump to address a joint session of Congress on Feb. 28". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 24, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/01/24/trump-invited-to-address-a-joint-session-of-congress-on-feb-28/ ↩

  140. Stracqualursi, Veronica (March 1, 2017). "VA Secretary David Shulkin chosen as designated survivor". ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/va-secretary-david-shulkin-chosen-designated-survivor/story?id=45815247 ↩

  141. Westwood, Sarah. "Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue State of the Union 'designated survivor'". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180201100242/http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/agriculture-secretary-sonny-perdue-is-designated-survivor-for-this-years-state-of-the-union-address/article/2647568 ↩

  142. Klein, Betsy; Gray, Noah (February 5, 2019). "Energy Secretary Rick Perry is the designated survivor". CNN. Retrieved February 5, 2019. https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/05/politics/rick-perry-designated-survivor/index.html ↩

  143. Choi, Matthew (February 4, 2020). "The State of the Union's designated survivor: Interior Secretary David Bernhardt". Politico. Retrieved February 4, 2020. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/04/david-bernhardt-sotu-designated-survivor-110786 ↩

  144. Knoller, Mark (February 4, 2020). "What to know about the "designated survivor" and State of the Union". CBS News. Retrieved February 5, 2020. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/state-of-the-union-designated-survivor-interior-secretary-david-bernhardt-2020-02-04/ ↩

  145. According to Military.com, outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was the highest-ranking official in the line of succession who did not attend the inauguration, but it was never officially reported whether he, or anyone else, served as designated survivor.[51] /wiki/Military.com ↩

  146. Kime, Patricia (January 20, 2021). "Who Was the Designated Survivor for the Inauguration? Outgoing Administration Doesn't Say". Military.com. Retrieved February 15, 2021. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/20/who-was-designated-survivor-inauguration-outgoing-administration-doesnt-say.html ↩

  147. 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2025 speeches were given by incoming presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses. ↩

  148. Due to COVID-19 protocols requiring limited attendance, most of the cabinet was not present for the speech and thus no formal designated survivor was named. United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen was the de facto designated survivor as the most senior person in the line of succession not present. /wiki/COVID-19_pandemic ↩

  149. Leonard, Ben. "No designated survivor for Biden's first joint address to Congress". Politico. Retrieved April 28, 2021. https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/27/no-designated-survivor-biden-first-address-congress-484804 ↩

  150. Lee, Min Jung (February 24, 2022). "White House chief of staff tells House Democrats he's hoping State of the Union address will boost Biden's poll numbers | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved February 24, 2022. /wiki/MJ_Lee ↩

  151. Stiles, Matt; Vazquez, Maegan (February 7, 2023). "Labor Secretary Walsh is the 'designated survivor' at the State of the Union address". CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/07/politics/designated-survivor-state-of-the-union-2023/index.html ↩

  152. "Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is the designated survivor for the State of the Union | CNN Politics". March 8, 2024. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/07/politics/designated-survivor-state-of-the-union-2024/index.html ↩

  153. "Who Is the 'Designated Survivor' for Donald Trump's Second Inauguration?". WNBC. January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 21, 2025. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/trump-inauguration-designated-survivor/6114401 ↩

  154. 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2021 and 2025 speeches were given by incoming presidents and not formal "State of the Union" addresses. ↩

  155. Mitchell, Tia. "Georgia's Doug Collins is designated survivor at Trump's congressional address". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 5, 2025. https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgias-doug-collins-is-designated-survivor-at-trumps-congressional-address/TKK4ZGDCTBDYVG4RE5UY5N3IWQ/ ↩