In a tradition ensuring governmental continuity, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was selected as the ‘designated survivor’ for President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address, underpinning the resilience of the American governmental system.
In a longstanding American tradition designed to ensure governmental continuity, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was chosen as the “designated survivor” for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address in 2024. Dating back to the late 1950s, this practice involves selecting an individual from the presidential line of succession to be positioned in a secure location away from the event. This procedure secures a continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic incident at the Capitol.
The concept of a designated survivor was publicly recognized starting in 1981, despite its Cold War era origins, and has seen various cabinet members serve in this role over the years, including Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The choice of the designated survivor is sometimes linked to the prominence of their department in the President’s speech, a factor noted by former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau.
President Biden’s State of the Union address, delivered before Congress, aimed to rally support for his re-election bid, touching on achievements and key policy goals. The speech addressed domestic issues like healthcare and the economy, as well as international conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Biden also sought to alleviate concerns regarding his age and underscored the need for congressional cooperation to tackle challenges such as a potential government shutdown and the illegal immigration crisis at the southern border.
The designated survivor role, aside from ensuring presidential succession, reflects the strategic importance of certain departments and initiatives mentioned during the State of the Union address. This tradition, apart from highlighting the resilience of the American governmental system, has also penetrated popular culture, inspiring a TV series titled “Designated Survivor” that aired between 2016 and 2019.
