Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins has been named as the designated survivor for President Trump’s 2025 address to Congress, a tradition dating back to the 1950s during the Cold War era. The designated survivor is chosen to maintain government continuity in the event of a catastrophic emergency. This role has historically been filled by a cabinet member who is sequestered at a secure, undisclosed location during high-profile events like the State of the Union address. Previous designated survivors have described their experiences as being under the watchful eye of military personnel to ensure their safety and the continuation of government operations. In 2024, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona served as the designated survivor for the State of the Union address. This practice underscores the importance of ensuring that there is always a line of presidential succession in place to guarantee the stability of the government in times of crisis.