Doug Collins Named Designated Survivor for Trump's 2025 Congressional Address
Tonight, all eyes are on President Trump as he delivers his highly anticipated address to Congress. But while the president, vice president, and nearly every key government official are gathered in one place, one person is missing—and for a very important reason. That person is Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs , who has been selected as this year’s designated survivor .
Now, for those unfamiliar with the term, the designated survivor is a member of the Cabinet who is chosen to sit out the event, safely hidden away in a secure location. The idea is simple but critical: in the event of a catastrophic attack or disaster, there will always be someone left in the presidential line of succession to step in and lead the country.
This practice dates back to the Cold War era, when fears of nuclear threats were at their peak. But it wasn’t until 1981 that the public even knew about the concept, when President Reagan’s Education Secretary Terrel Bell was revealed as the designated survivor after the State of the Union address.
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As for Doug Collins, he’s no stranger to high-stakes politics. A former Georgia congressman , he was confirmed as Secretary of Veterans Affairs just last month, on February 4, 2025 . His position in the presidential line of succession? Seventeenth —which means that in a doomsday scenario, he would become the acting president. While it’s an unlikely situation, the security and secrecy surrounding the designated survivor are taken extremely seriously.
So where is Collins tonight? That’s classified. But history tells us that designated survivors have spent the evening in secure, undisclosed locations , sometimes even with military personnel carrying the infamous nuclear football —the briefcase that contains nuclear launch codes. Some past survivors, like former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, have even described the surreal experience of being watched over by Secret Service agents and top military officials , just in case the unthinkable happened.
Meanwhile, Trump’s speech itself is expected to touch on key issues like the economy, immigration, and foreign policy , particularly in the wake of his recent decision to pause military funding to Ukraine . The political divide is sharper than ever, with some Democratic lawmakers even refusing to attend the speech. And with tensions high both at home and abroad, this year’s designated survivor selection carries just as much weight as ever.
So while the cameras remain focused on the House chamber, Doug Collins waits in the wings, prepared for a role he’ll likely never have to take on—but one that’s crucial for the stability of the nation.
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