David Zalubowski/AP Photo
- Interior secretary David Bernhardt was announced to be this year's designated survivor for the State of the Union address.
- Designated survivors sit out the State of the Union far away from the House chamber, so that in case there is a catastrophe, a Senate-confirmed official could take the reigns of the presidency.
- Here are how past designated survivors have spent their State of the Union addresses as the possible president-to-be.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Excluding the years immediately after a new president is elected, one member of the president's Cabinet has been selected every year since the 1960s to be the "designated survivor" during high-profile events such as State of The Union addresses and inaugurations.
If there was a targeted attack on the Capitol, someone would have to take over the government.
They sit out the State of the Union far away from the House chamber, so that in case there is a catastrophe, a Senate-confirmed official could take the reigns of the presidency. Since 2005, a designated survivor from Congress has also been selected in order to rebuild the legislative branch.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt was announced to be this year's designated survivor. Although highly unlikely, this doomsday scenario has captured the imaginations of screenwriters and TV producers, spawning an entire show on ABC called simply "Designated Survivor."
In the real world, designated survivors have often tended to be low-ranking cabinet members, and until 9/11, had spent their evenings away from Washington, DC in a variety of ways. Almost all choose to kick back, relax, and enjoy the perks of the presidential treatment for a few short hours.
Here are how past designated survivors have spent their State of the Union addresses as the possible president-to-be:
A designated survivor has been selected for the State of Union address since sometime in the 1960s, but the first one documented person was secretary of housing and urban development Samuel R. Pierce Jr. at former President Ronald Reagan's in January 1984.
Wikimedia Commons
Source: The American Presidency Project
In 1986, agriculture secretary John Block spent Reagan's address from his friend's house on the shores of Montego Bay, Jamaica. "I was having a glass of wine probably," Block said after the fact.
Charles Tasnadi
Source: ABC News
In 1990, secretary of veteran affairs Ed Derwinski had a pretty casual experience as the designated survivor. He had pizza near his home while his security detail stood by.
Wikimedia Commons
Source: ABC News
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- The complete history of the US State of the Union address
- Here's everyone who's running for president in 2020, and who has quit the race
- 28 senators who were in Congress for Clinton's impeachment, and how they voted then
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