Imagine the scene: a tragedy of proportions never before seen happens in the United States and the entire succession line is eliminated at once. And now, who will assume the US presidency? For the answer is one: the designated survivor – or “designated survivor.” It looks like a standard plot, no? And it really is (“designated survivor” is available on Netflix and has 3 seasons). But that is exactly what would happen in real life as well.
When all major US authorities gather in one place, it is up to one chosen to be as far as possible from the place as a security form.
This is the figure of the “designated survivor”, who would assume the presidency if the worst happens. The post was created as a security for the Cold War and since then tradition remains.
Who is the designated survivor?
A person is selected to be left out of high -ranking events, such as the state of the Union, inaugurations and other speeches of the president, as well as congressional sessions, in order to preserve the presidency’s succession line if there is a catastrophic event.
Who chooses the designated survivor?
According to CNBC, there is no official protocol on how the current administration should select the designated survivor, at least not one that has been disclosed.
Anyone on the presidential succession line, as one of the 15 department heads, must meet two requirements: they should be born in the US and be at least 35 years old.
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The order of succession in the USA
- Vice-president, JD Vance;
- Mayor Mike Johnson;
- Senator Pro Tempore, Chuck Grassley;
- Secretary of State, Marco Rubio;
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent;
- Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth;
- Attorney General, Pam Bondi;
- Other 11 members of the cabinet, in the order of creation of the departments.
Where is the designated survivor?
The designated survivor must watch the speech of a safe place. Before the September 11 attacks, however, he could choose where to stay.
Has any designated survivor ever had to assume the presidency?
In this case, this only happened in fiction, with actor Kiefer Sutherland in the “Designated Survivor” series.
