Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins has been named as the designated survivor for President Trump’s 2025 address to Congress. This crucial role ensures government continuity in the event of an emergency. The tradition of having a designated survivor dates back to the 1950s, a period marked by the Cold War and the need for a contingency plan in case of a catastrophic event during a presidential address. Previous designated survivors have spoken about their secure experience during the address, with military supervision to ensure their safety. In 2024, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was selected as the designated survivor. This practice highlights the importance of having a designated official who would take over the reins of government in case of a crisis during a high-profile event like the State of the Union address.