House Democrats have selected Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) as the “designated survivor” for Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
“Thompson will watch the speech from a secure, undisclosed location off campus,” a press release from Thompson’s office read.
“Since the day he took office, this president has raised costs for hardworking families, unleashed ICE to terrorize our communities, and threatened unlawful military attacks on foreign countries. He’s made Americans’ lives and our democracy worse off,” Thompson said.
“President Trump is unpopular because he’s failed to lower costs, failed to fire Kristi Noem, and failed to follow the rule of law. Americans demand answers when he addresses the nation. We will keep holding him to account in the Congress, in the Courts, and in the court of public opinion,” he continued.
I’ve been selected as a designated survivor for tomorrow’s State of the Union, so I won’t be there in person, but I’ll be watching. Americans deserve accountability for the militarization of ICE, terrorization of our communities and killing of American citizens. pic.twitter.com/ig3cFdQcCV
— Rep. Mike Thompson (@RepThompson) February 23, 2026
The Hill shared further:
Lauren Ott, Thompson’s communications director, told The Hill the lawmaker has been selected by Democratic leadership to serve as designated survivor each year since 2020.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is the lone member of the House in the presidential line of succession. Congressional leaders have selected a designated survivor since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to ensure the continuity of the legislative branch.
In addition to Thompson, multiple congressional Democrats are skipping Trump’s address in protest of his policies. Some will instead attend alternative events such as the “People’s State of the Union” on the National Mall, an event hosted by liberal group MoveOn Civic Action, liberal media company MeidasTouch and other organizations.
Thompson’s guest, Napa veteran, small business owner, and city councilmember Bernie Narvaez, will attend the State of the Union address in person.
“Bernie is a shining example of what it means to be a public servant and to fulfill the American Dream,” Thompson said, according to Fox News.
“I am honored Bernie is joining me in Washington, D.C., as a representative for the hardworking people of our district. As a veteran, as a small business owner, as an immigrant, as a local elected official, and as a husband and father, Bernie knows all too well the importance of standing up for our country, defending our democracy, and lowering costs for hardworking people,” he continued.
Fox News noted:
Designated survivors are selected for instances in which the rest of the government is gathered for a major event, such as the State of the Union. Last March, when Trump addressed a joint session of Congress, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins was chosen as the designated survivor. The White House has yet to announce the designated survivor for Tuesday’s event.
The most common use of the term “designated survivor” refers to a member of the president’s Cabinet who is kept in a secure, undisclosed location to ensure the line of leadership succession stays alive in case of a cataclysmic event.
While the Constitution includes the presidential line of succession, it does not require a designated survivor. The practice of the selection of a designated survivor dates back to the Cold War. Additionally, while the practice is commonly associated with the executive branch, the Constitution Center notes that, in recent years, members of Congress have also been asked to act as designated survivors as a precaution for major events.
