I’m spending my evening catching up on episodes of “Designated Survivor,” and I have an honest question:
At 12:01PM tomorrow, who is fifth in the Presidential line of succession?
I ask, because the first four in the line of succession would be:
- 1. Donald Trump
- 2. Mike Pence
- 3. Paul Ryan (Speaker of the House of Representatives)
- 4. Orrin Hatch (President pro tempore of the Senate)
I would point out that those four persons are all going to be at the inauguration — which is to say, they are all going to be in the same place at the same time.
The fifth person in the line of succession is the Secretary of State. At 12:01PM, is that John Kerry?
Is John Kerry is relieved of his position at 12:01PM, does it become… whomever is second in line at the State Department?
Eight years ago, many of President Obama’s cabinet nominees were confirmed on Inauguration Day. If all of President Obama’s cabinet members are relieved of their command at 12:01PM, will any of Trump’s cabinet members be confirmed by that time?
Or do we even have a fifth in the line of succession at 12:01PM?
I have to imagine that somebody has thought of this. Right? Tell me I’m right? It’s actually a bit terrifying…
Stay safe, everyone.