As US President Donald Trump will address the nation at the State of the Union, one Cabinet chair will remain empty. The absent member will not be near the building. Instead, that person will stay at a secure, undisclosed location. The reason: to serve as the 'designated survivor'.
The practice ensures continuity of government if a catastrophic attack wipes out top leaders gathered in one place during the State of the Union.
What is a designated survivor?
A designated survivor is a Cabinet secretary chosen to skip major events like the State of the Union, inaugurations, or joint sessions of Congress. If the President and others in the line of succession die or are incapacitated, this person becomes President.
The individual must meet constitutional requirements. They must be a natural-born US citizen and at least 35 years old.
Why is there a designated survivor?
The idea dates back to the Cold War. US officials feared a sudden nuclear strike could eliminate the entire leadership at once. The system was formalised during the Presidentships of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
The designated survivor is a precaution. It protects the constitutional chain of command.
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Who chooses the designated survivor?
There is no fixed public rule. The president usually selects one Cabinet member. The choice is made with advice from senior aides. The name for this year has not been announced.
The opposition, too, chooses a designated survivor. This year, the Democrats have chosen California Congressman Rep. Mike Thompson as the survivor from their side.
What is the order of succession?
If the President cannot serve, power passes in this order: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, then Cabinet secretaries starting with State, Treasury, and Defence, followed by others down to Homeland Security.
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'Designated Survivor' on Netflix
The concept inspired the political drama 'Designated Survivor'. The show premiered in 2016 and ran for three seasons.
It starred Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman, a low-level Cabinet member suddenly sworn in as President after an attack destroys the Capitol. The series followed his struggle to lead the country amid crisis and conspiracy.
