Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins was named as the designated survivor for US President Donald Trump's 2025 joint address to Congress on Tuesday night. 

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Trump delivered the joint address to Congress on Tuesday night for the first time in his second presidency. Shortly before Trump's speech, the White House confirmed Collins' selection. 

Appointing a "designated survivor" is a part of the proceedings of the joint address. A cabinet member is appointed as the designated survivor to ensure the continuity of government in case of a catastrophic event during a high-profile gathering. 

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Collins was taken to a secure, undisclosed location while Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other key government officials convened in the Capitol during the joint address. 

Who is Doug Collins?

Doug Collins is a former congressman from Georgia's 9th congressional district. He has served from 2013 to 2021 before being appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

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Collins, who was confirmed as VA Secretary on February 4, 2025, is 17th in the presidential line of succession.

He has studied law and has worked as a managing partner at the Collins and Csider law firm since 2010. 

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Talking about his military experience, he served as a Navy chaplain in the late 1980s before joining the US Air Force Reserve Command, where he holds the rank of colonel. 

Collins serving as the VA Secretary oversees nearly 200 medical centres and manages a budget of approximately $350 billion, trying to improve air quality and tackle veterans' health challenges. 

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What is a designated survivor?

A designated survivor is usually chosen from the cabinet members and has to stay away from the event to ensure the continuity of government in case of an attack or disaster harming the leadership. 

It goes back to the Cold War era and the first designated survivor was appointed in 1981 when Education Secretary Terrel Bell was selected.

The person chosen as a designated survivor must meet presidential eligibility criteria, including being a natural-born US citizen and should be at least 35 years old. 

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(With inputs from agencies)