The designated survivor from President Trump’s administration for his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday is an Obama appointee.
The White House chose Veterans Affairs secretary David Shulkin, President Barack Obama’s undersecretary for health at the department, to be absent from Trump’s address to Congress.
VA Sec David Shulkin is the “designated survivor” for #Jointsession 11th in line of succession only ahead of DHS Sec John Kelly
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 1, 2017
.@DanaBashCNN reports that tonight’s designated survivor is VA Secretary David Shulkin, per a senior admin official
— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) March 1, 2017
The designated survivor is a Cabinet member chosen to skip the speech and remain in a physically removed, secure location in situations when the President and other top administration officials are gathered together in one location.
In case of a catastrophe, the designated survivor is the next in line to succeed the President and ensure continuity of government.
Can we go ahead and put this guy in charge? At least can Pence be president now, please.
“Designated survivor.” Isn’t that the term used for the one witness to a massacre who is left alive to bear witness of the horror to others?
Um, it’s far from clear (as in actually doubtful) that an undersecretary serving as secretary because the incoming administration can’t make the trains wreck on time is actually in the line of succession under the succession statute.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19
Typical mixture of hubris and incompetence.
Works for me.
In case of a catastrophe??!!
Why hasn’t he been president since 12 noon on January 20th?