Politics
Politics

Georgia’s Doug Collins designated survivor — again — for Trump speech

Veterans Affairs secretary didn’t attend Trump’s State of the Union address amid reports he is the cabinet member sitting it out just in case.
Secretary of Veteran Affairs Doug Collins speaks during a live-to-tape recording of the 'Politically Georgia' podcast at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC on February 6, 2025. (Nathan Posner for the AJC)

Credit: Nathan Posner for the AJC

Credit: Nathan Posner for the AJC

Secretary of Veteran Affairs Doug Collins speaks during a live-to-tape recording of the 'Politically Georgia' podcast at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC on February 6, 2025. (Nathan Posner for the AJC)
By
Feb 25, 2026

WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins did not attend the State of the Union address, and it appears that he was again the “designated survivor” among members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet.

Several news outlets, citing White House sources, said Collins is the one government official being kept away in the case there is an attack on the proceeding to ensure someone in the line of presidential succession stays alive.

Collins, a former congressman from North Georgia, was also selected for the role in 2025 when Trump addressed a joint session of Congress after beginning his second term.

It is rare for the same official to be the designated survivor two years in a row as the president delivers his annual address to the join session of Congress.

About the Author

Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the "Politically Georgia" podcast. She writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.

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