In a significant development, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has been chosen as this year’s ‘designated survivor’ during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Cardona will be stationed at an undisclosed location away from Washington, adhering to the annual tradition of having a Cabinet member remain outside the House chamber during the President’s speech, as a contingency plan in the event of a catastrophe.
Cardona, who took office as the Secretary of Education in March 2021, has a background in education. His designation as the ‘designated survivor’ comes at a time when Biden’s Cabinet is actively disseminating his message beyond the confines of Washington. They are serving as crucial ambassadors for the President’s most significant legislative achievements, especially with the 2024 general election looming on the horizon.
The role of the ‘designated survivor’ is a crucial one, as they are sixteenth in the presidential line of succession, as outlined in the Presidential Succession Act of 1792. This Act was later updated during the Truman administration in the Presidential Succession Act of 1947.
However, it’s worth noting that not all Cabinet members are eligible for this role. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, born in Cuba, and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, born in Canada, are both naturalized US citizens. Despite their high-ranking positions, they are ineligible to serve as President and, therefore, cannot be designated survivors.
This article has been updated with additional reporting to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation.