Executive Order 14139 · 2025-01-13

Providing an Order of Succession Within the Office of the National Cyber Director

Order Establishes Succession for National Cyber Director's Office

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Signed by Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Published 2025-01-13

What it does

The order directs specified officials in the Office of the National Cyber Director to serve as acting Director in a set order when the Director cannot serve.

Real-world impact

  • Ensures leadership continuity for the national cybersecurity office during vacancies.
  • Prevents officials already serving in acting roles from becoming acting Director.
  • Requires officials to meet legal eligibility before serving as acting Director.

Topics

government staffingnational cybersecurityleadership successionfederal vacancies

Summary

This order sets a clear line of succession inside the Office of the National Cyber Director. It lists six officials who will step in — deputy director, chief of staff, four assistant directors, and the general counsel — if the Director dies, resigns, or cannot perform duties.

It bars people already serving in those roles in an acting capacity from automatically becoming acting Director, requires eligibility under the Vacancies Reform Act, and preserves the President's discretion to choose someone else. The order helps keep leadership continuity for national cybersecurity work.

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