Sonny Perdue will watch Donald Trump's speech from an undisclosed location in case of an attack on the U.S. Capitol that kills or incapacitates the president and his Cabinet. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images Agriculture secretary tapped as ‘designated survivor’

The White House has tapped Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue as the “designated survivor” for Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.

Perdue will watch the speech from an undisclosed location in case of an attack on the U.S. Capitol that kills or incapacitates the president and his Cabinet.


A morbid tradition that started during the Cold War, the designation of a survivor is often closely watched in Washington, with insiders wondering what the choice signifies about the official’s stature in the administration.

The annual address is one of the biggest nights in Washington, and many politicians covet the opportunity to attend and possibly get face time with the president.

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin was picked as the designated survivor during Trump’s joint address to Congress last year.



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