WASHINGTON — As Donald Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, Democrats have selected Rep. Mike Thompson of California to serve as their designated survivor.

The role requires Thompson to remain at a secure, undisclosed location during the address — a long-standing continuity-of-government precaution intended to preserve the constitutional line of succession in the event of a catastrophic incident at the Capitol.

A Veteran Lawmaker

Thompson, who has represented California in the House since 1999, is one of the more senior members of the Democratic caucus. He currently serves in key roles related to tax policy and gun violence prevention and is known as a pragmatic voice within the party.

His selection was made by House Democratic leadership, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

While the Cabinet-level designated survivor — a member of the president’s Cabinet chosen separately by the White House — ensures executive branch continuity, each party in Congress also names a lawmaker to sit out the address as an added safeguard.

A Post-9/11 Tradition

The practice of appointing a designated survivor became formalized after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when concerns about protecting the nation’s leadership intensified. During major events like the State of the Union, when the president, vice president, Cabinet, Supreme Court justices and congressional leaders are gathered in one location, one official is kept away as a contingency measure.

Though largely symbolic in modern times, the role underscores the seriousness of continuity planning at the highest levels of government.

Political Backdrop

This year’s State of the Union comes amid sharp partisan divides, with some Democrats publicly debating how to respond to Trump’s address. Thompson’s selection highlights the procedural and bipartisan aspects of congressional operations, even in periods of political tension.

He is expected to watch the speech remotely while remaining in communication with leadership, fulfilling a quiet but constitutionally significant role during one of Washington’s most high-profile nights.