Amending the Order of Succession in the Department of Homeland Security
Headline: Amends Order of Succession for Department of Homeland Security
What it does: The Department of Homeland Security officials listed, in the specified order, shall act as Secretary when the Secretary cannot perform duties.
- Clarifies who will lead Homeland Security during Secretary vacancies.
- Bars officials serving in temporary acting roles from becoming acting Secretary.
- Repeals a prior 2004 succession designation and replaces earlier rules.
Summary
This order updates the list of officials who will take over as Secretary of Homeland Security if the Secretary dies, resigns, or otherwise cannot perform the office's duties. It replaces section 88 of a 2003 order and revokes a 2004 succession designation.
It names a specific sequence of department officials who will act as Secretary and bars individuals serving in acting roles from becoming acting Secretary under this rule. The order also says the President may depart from the listed order where allowed by law.
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