Designation of Additional Officers for the Department of Homeland Security Order of Succession
Headline: Designates Federal Emergency Management regional directors to fill Homeland Security Secretary vacancy
What it does: The order directs listed Federal Emergency Management regional directors to perform the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's duties if senior department leaders are unavailable.
- Regional Federal Emergency Management directors (V, VI, VII, VIII, X) may act as Secretary
- Those already serving in an acting role cannot become Acting Secretary under this order
- The President may choose a different acting Secretary when allowed by law
Summary
This order sets a backup succession for the Department of Homeland Security. If the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and other specially designated officers have died, resigned, or are unable to serve, certain regional directors will perform the Secretary's duties.
Specifically, directors of Federal Emergency Management for Regions V, VI, VII, VIII, and X are listed to act as Secretary if eligible under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The order bars those already serving in an acting capacity from becoming Acting Secretary and says the President may depart from this succession when allowed by law.
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